Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, 1)

I didn't make it through the first chapter, so I'm not going to be rude and give it 1 star simply because it isn't to my taste. I don't trust reviewers who do that. However, seasoned readers should probably beware. I was immediately drawn to this book based on numerous targeted ads. The plot sounded fantastic. Great cover art. Character names that weren't otherworldly levels of obnoxious (I'm looking at you, Clary). So, I gave it a shot. Instantly purchased, even though I already have oh-so-many books sitting at home unread. I cracked this open less than an hour ago, and decided that I can't bring myself to continue. I don't consider myself an ABSOLUTE snob. I understand no book is perfect. I just want to be transported! Why did I stop reading this quickly, I hear all two of you asking? Simple: The editor on this book failed. FAILED. Seriously, worst editor EVER. Here are the references to a smile/mouth/laughter in the first few pages alone as a descriptor: Page 4 (the equivalent of the second page, as it begins on page 3): "I couldn't help but grin." "Smirked." "I cackled." Page 5: "She pouted." "Grinning." Page 6: "Chuckling." "Whose lips twitched in an effort not to grin." "Saccharine smile." "Forcing a grin." "Lips curling upward." (There was also a "winked conspiratorially" which implies a smile yet again.) Page 8: "A wide smile." "She grinned like a cat with cream." Page 9: "An alluring smile." Page 10: "An evil smile split his face." "Andre bared his teeth." (This is where I tapped out, but I'll continue through the first chapter just for your benefit.) Page 11: "Babette cast the two a small smile." "Their grins vanished." Page 12: "Licking his lips nervously." "With gleeful smirks." Page 13: "Her smile grew small and cruel." "Smothering a snort." "Shook with silent laughter." Page 14: "His mouth twisted." Page 16: "I could almost see her smile. It matched my own." Phew! Now, maybe I'm just too sensitive and that's really not that bad. But, keep in mind that 1) I probably missed some and 2) this is a fairly easy read, so the repetitiveness of descriptors feels fairly unrelenting. If this were the only issue, I probably wouldn't have said anything. But poor editing becomes even more clear through other examples. For instance: "Babette glared at us." And then, just a couple short sentences later on the same page: "He glared at her for several long seconds." I don't think it was intended repetition to mirror Babette, but rather, they didn't realize that "glared" was already used above. And if it was an intentional glare, it should have been more obvious like "he matched her glare" or something, to make the two pointedly linked. Similarly, the word "however" is used at least a few times within the first chapter. References to "stupid" or idiot/idiocy, also several times in the first chapter. It may very well be a book with a wonderful plot and full, developed characters - it certainly seemed like it had the potential to be interesting. However, I was so thoroughly taken out of it by the way certain phrasings and descriptors were overused that I decided it wasn't worth it. It felt rough, unpolished, and amateurish in this regard. If you are not sensitive to cliches in word choices and repetition, you may love this book! I'm not saying don't give it a try - it may just be a "me" issue. But, to the editor...and author, for that matter...please enter future novels into one of those "overused words" analysis websites online before beginning edits. No one needs to read the word "grin" six times in one chapter alone.

I bought this because Sarah J. Maas reviewed it so well. I now know to never buy a book based off of her recommendation alone. After I read her review, I gave it a try and forced myself to finish it, thinking it must get good at some point. No. It did not. It was awful. I read a lot of books, especially in this genre. It was staggeringly riddled plot holes and unanswered questions, a magic system that was under-explained and underwhelming, but the worst thing about it was the lack of character development. You learn almost nothing about anyone but the two main characters, and even those two were so lacking in personality that I found myself uncaring of their success or their romance. I hate to be so negative, especially of a new author, but I can't believe this was published in its current form. It isn't a bad overall storyline other than there being no resolution whatsoever in the end (even as an intended series, it was lacking in any conclusion that mattered), but it could have been so much better. It felt like she made a fan fiction version of Leigh Bardugo's Nina and Matthias storyline from "Six of Crows" and added unoriginal elements from other YA authors in this genre, including Sarah J. Maas (i.e. a witch named Manon, an irreverent princess who is full of herself, the main character is a thief, a love develops between two opposite people who are forced together- or even more cliche- one is tasked with killing the other, etc.). Even the romance wasn't exciting. It was one sex scene, and the lead up to it didn't offer much anticipation. From Maas's review, I was at least expecting some great sex scenes. Nope. Everything just felt so random. Nothing tied together in the way you expect. Oh, "I had sex with a prostitute once." Ok... I like to eat chocolate. What's the point? There was no point. The main character was trying to say she wasn't an innocent person, but her innocence didn't matter at all to the storyline. It didn't develop her character. Now, if she (the main character) told an interesting story about said sex with a prostitute that showed her character or humor or morals, or literally anything else, it would have been relevant to the plot. It was completely random. And the cursing. Let's just preface this with me saying I use the F word liberally. I have no issues with cursing or the F word in general, but it's not the only curse word I use. And I use it in more creative ways than just saying it nearly every time I open my mouth or speak passionately about anything. It was like the author thought the more she used that word, the more personality it gave her character. It didn't work. I think I'm going to ask for my money back. I bought both the Audible and the Kindle version (I do with nearly all the books I buy), and this is the first time I've considered returning either. Please. If you don't read the synopsis and think, "OMG, this book sounds amazing, and I can't live without reading it!" then don't waste your money on it. Pretend SJM didn't review it. I (generously) gave it two stars because she's a debut author, and it's a tough industry.

I read about 80 percent but could not finish. Characters behaved foolishly and annoyingly and out of character, rapidly changing their minds dramatically in just one line of writing. Also, (spoiler alert) some weird stuff like making passionate love while still wearing clothes that are sopping with the blood of your enemies? It seemed like that was just a gross oversite in the writing not a weird fettish, but either way, not enjoyable to read. Also I dislike romance that is so dramatically on again, off again. Also it seemed pretty unbelievable at so many points, like the blood witch hiding in plain site working in a convent by day and having publically obvious sexual trysts at night and threatening to exsanguinate people whenever she got riled, seriously, the people at the convent didn't notice??? And other stuff like that.

This books story line you can find in thousands of horrible fanfictions. This entire story revolves around 2 characters who are mortal enemies being forced to get married and then inevitably fall as love and the author inserts a porn scene. The problem is the entire reason they have to get married is one of the most stupidest reasons I have ever read outside of fanfiction. Its like she didn't even try and I feel bad for the main character being dumbed down so much that she never even attempted to run away. The entire book from then on just crumbles and falls apart. The porn scene doesn't even feel naughty because the two characters have absolutely zero chemistry. but to each their own.

Serpent&Dove is the kind of book that every reader dreams of. The kind that captures your attention so much that you never noticed the sun has faded and darkness has captured the skies.Time becomes irrelevant. The only thing that matters is Lou and Reid’s story. 2 enemies, one is a witch in disguise. The other is a witch hunter determined to rid the world of these evil creatures. But fate puts them in quite the predicament when they are forced to get married. Marriage means Lou will be protected from her never ending list of enemies. And Reid can protect the Chasseurs’s image. But these two couldn’t be more different. Reid follows the laws to a T. Lou was born to break them. I love how wild and unapologetic Lou is. I even melted for the straight laced Reid. But Lou’s lies and deception can cost her the man she never meant to love and her life.I absolutely loved this book. And highly recommend everyone picks up a copy.

I originally downloaded the sample as I’ve come across it on multiple social media platforms. Its not something I normally read but something I didn’t even know I was looking for. I had no expectations nor did I read a summary of what this story was about so when I read it, I was hooked instantly. Great introduction to a world of witches. The idea of magic requiring balance, of sacrifice, was interesting and different from what I usually read. The relationship between Lou and Reid was refreshing and genuine and definite slow burn. Their interactions together were funny and endearing. Reid doesn’t easily give up his beliefs over a beautiful woman. There is an inner struggle with each character against what they’ve believed in and what they’ve come to learn. More realistic than most where everything always falls into place or works out for story sake. This story is told beautifully. I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds.

"I knew that I would remember him. I would feel his absence even after death, would ache for him to be near me in a way he could never be again. This was my destiny - my eternal torment. As much as it hurts to think of him, I would bear the pain gladly to keep even a small part of him with me. The pain meant we'd been real. Death couldn't take him away from me. He was me. Our souls bound. Even if he didn't want me, even if I cursed his name, we were one." The Chaussers are employed by the church to hunt witches and serve the people of Cesarine. Reid has been a Chausser his whole life and is bound in purity to serve tha cause that all witches are evil and should be annihilated. He has known notthing else. Rescused by the Archbishop as a baby, Reid's hunt continues as captain of the Chaussers. One day, Reid runs into a woman dressed as a man and she calls herself Lou. A street urchin who has many enemies and must fight for survival in a city that would burn her at the stake if anyone discovered who and what she really was. By some very public and very embarrassing circumstances, the Archbishop arranges a mutually beneficial marriage between Lou and Reid. But Lou had many secrets and many enemies, all coming to find her. This was definitely a hate to love trope all the way. There was a ton of cussing in this and this may be titled as YA but was really more like a new adult book as the one sex scene that was in this was way more discrptive than the usual YA book. The excessive cussing alone, would not have had me label this as New Adult. But the context of the cussing and the sex scene took this from borderline to all the way New Adult. I know this has been debated, but I can't see it as anything else. I loved the foul mouthed Lou, and the noble and loyal Reid. The chemistry and the banter had me excessively turning the pages. This was a great romance and I'm definitely seeing why everyone is taking about this book. Also the supporting characters were also very notable. Ansel and Coco where two other characters I became very much attached to. Usually I don't fall in love with supporting characters to this extent, but I'm just hooked and I care so much for them. All in all, this book was fantastic and now I know there is going to be a sequel I know getting to read it will feel like forever.

Hi my name is Cassy and I am quite often disappointed by a super-hyped up book but I can FINALLY SAY I READ A BOOK THAT LIVES UP TO THE HYPE. I was so nervous to read this book because usually I hate things that everyone else loves but NOT THIS TIME. I am already trash for witch magic and then you add in enemies to lovers slow burn and I am dead. The dynamic between the two MC's was so well done and made me unable to put the book down. Lou was one of my favorite protagonists I've read in a long time because I am also always here for sassy sarcastic funny females so more of that please. I loved seeing Reid as the more uptight one getting all flustered over a lady and Ansel is my child who must always be protected. I do wish there'd been more of a resolved ending but I can't even be fully mad like I usually am about it because I will 100% be preordering the sequel as soon as I'm able to can I do that yet or... I will say, I feel like this book was largely more NA than YA, based on the way the characters acted/spoke and the much more suggestive themes in the book. I really wish that this age group would become a thing because this is the exact type of story I (and a lot of people I think) would love to see more of :) *nudge* But Shelby is an instant read for me and I can't wait to see what other stories she has hiding in that wonderful brain.

A fun but juvenile story that touches on interesting social topics without actually creating anything memorable or profound. There were entertaining moments but the characters themselves are one dimensional and not especially likable. The world building is lackluster as well as the magic system. If you are an avid reader of fantasy both high and low, this will bother you. But if you are a new reader of fantasy it might be a flaw you can overlook. Arranged marriage romances can be tricky to develop and in this book it falls flat. These people despise each other due to religion and a history of hatred built on murder. You have to do a better job at developing that into 'I would die for you' kind of love. There is no genuine deep connection built on intellect or friendship. But more so one driven by circumstances and lust. It should have been developed over the course of the book until the end, but they "love" each other way too quickly. There should have been more moral philosophical struggles given the gravity of the situation. But that does not happen. This book genuinely reads like a fanfic and not a book deserving of its hype. I'm genuinely baffled by its good reviews.

If you like sappy teen dramas where the main character is such a Mary Sue and representation of unhealthy relationships, it makes you want to barf~ Read this book. After reading some of the reviews, I was like, "Eh, why not? I'm on vacation." Little did I know that this book would make me spiral into a deep dark depression contemplating if this book was actually written by a woman or an egotistical man who wants to brainwash girls young into thinking the toxic male character was actually romantic partner material. If I could give this negative stars, I would. Even if you ignore the characters' lack of development, you probably can't get past the uninteresting and brain cell destroying plot. I digress for my own sanity.

I didn't make it through the first chapter, so I'm not going to be rude and give it 1 star simply because it isn't to my taste. I don't trust reviewers who do that. However, seasoned readers should probably beware. I was immediately drawn to this book based on numerous targeted ads. The plot sounded fantastic. Great cover art. Character names that weren't otherworldly levels of obnoxious (I'm looking at you, Clary). So, I gave it a shot. Instantly purchased, even though I already have oh-so-many books sitting at home unread. I cracked this open less than an hour ago, and decided that I can't bring myself to continue. I don't consider myself an ABSOLUTE snob. I understand no book is perfect. I just want to be transported! Why did I stop reading this quickly, I hear all two of you asking? Simple: The editor on this book failed. FAILED. Seriously, worst editor EVER. Here are the references to a smile/mouth/laughter in the first few pages alone as a descriptor: Page 4 (the equivalent of the second page, as it begins on page 3): "I couldn't help but grin." "Smirked." "I cackled." Page 5: "She pouted." "Grinning." Page 6: "Chuckling." "Whose lips twitched in an effort not to grin." "Saccharine smile." "Forcing a grin." "Lips curling upward." (There was also a "winked conspiratorially" which implies a smile yet again.) Page 8: "A wide smile." "She grinned like a cat with cream." Page 9: "An alluring smile." Page 10: "An evil smile split his face." "Andre bared his teeth." (This is where I tapped out, but I'll continue through the first chapter just for your benefit.) Page 11: "Babette cast the two a small smile." "Their grins vanished." Page 12: "Licking his lips nervously." "With gleeful smirks." Page 13: "Her smile grew small and cruel." "Smothering a snort." "Shook with silent laughter." Page 14: "His mouth twisted." Page 16: "I could almost see her smile. It matched my own." Phew! Now, maybe I'm just too sensitive and that's really not that bad. But, keep in mind that 1) I probably missed some and 2) this is a fairly easy read, so the repetitiveness of descriptors feels fairly unrelenting. If this were the only issue, I probably wouldn't have said anything. But poor editing becomes even more clear through other examples. For instance: "Babette glared at us." And then, just a couple short sentences later on the same page: "He glared at her for several long seconds." I don't think it was intended repetition to mirror Babette, but rather, they didn't realize that "glared" was already used above. And if it was an intentional glare, it should have been more obvious like "he matched her glare" or something, to make the two pointedly linked. Similarly, the word "however" is used at least a few times within the first chapter. References to "stupid" or idiot/idiocy, also several times in the first chapter. It may very well be a book with a wonderful plot and full, developed characters - it certainly seemed like it had the potential to be interesting. However, I was so thoroughly taken out of it by the way certain phrasings and descriptors were overused that I decided it wasn't worth it. It felt rough, unpolished, and amateurish in this regard. If you are not sensitive to cliches in word choices and repetition, you may love this book! I'm not saying don't give it a try - it may just be a "me" issue. But, to the editor...and author, for that matter...please enter future novels into one of those "overused words" analysis websites online before beginning edits. No one needs to read the word "grin" six times in one chapter alone.

I bought this because Sarah J. Maas reviewed it so well. I now know to never buy a book based off of her recommendation alone. After I read her review, I gave it a try and forced myself to finish it, thinking it must get good at some point. No. It did not. It was awful. I read a lot of books, especially in this genre. It was staggeringly riddled plot holes and unanswered questions, a magic system that was under-explained and underwhelming, but the worst thing about it was the lack of character development. You learn almost nothing about anyone but the two main characters, and even those two were so lacking in personality that I found myself uncaring of their success or their romance. I hate to be so negative, especially of a new author, but I can't believe this was published in its current form. It isn't a bad overall storyline other than there being no resolution whatsoever in the end (even as an intended series, it was lacking in any conclusion that mattered), but it could have been so much better. It felt like she made a fan fiction version of Leigh Bardugo's Nina and Matthias storyline from "Six of Crows" and added unoriginal elements from other YA authors in this genre, including Sarah J. Maas (i.e. a witch named Manon, an irreverent princess who is full of herself, the main character is a thief, a love develops between two opposite people who are forced together- or even more cliche- one is tasked with killing the other, etc.). Even the romance wasn't exciting. It was one sex scene, and the lead up to it didn't offer much anticipation. From Maas's review, I was at least expecting some great sex scenes. Nope. Everything just felt so random. Nothing tied together in the way you expect. Oh, "I had sex with a prostitute once." Ok... I like to eat chocolate. What's the point? There was no point. The main character was trying to say she wasn't an innocent person, but her innocence didn't matter at all to the storyline. It didn't develop her character. Now, if she (the main character) told an interesting story about said sex with a prostitute that showed her character or humor or morals, or literally anything else, it would have been relevant to the plot. It was completely random. And the cursing. Let's just preface this with me saying I use the F word liberally. I have no issues with cursing or the F word in general, but it's not the only curse word I use. And I use it in more creative ways than just saying it nearly every time I open my mouth or speak passionately about anything. It was like the author thought the more she used that word, the more personality it gave her character. It didn't work. I think I'm going to ask for my money back. I bought both the Audible and the Kindle version (I do with nearly all the books I buy), and this is the first time I've considered returning either. Please. If you don't read the synopsis and think, "OMG, this book sounds amazing, and I can't live without reading it!" then don't waste your money on it. Pretend SJM didn't review it. I (generously) gave it two stars because she's a debut author, and it's a tough industry.

I read about 80 percent but could not finish. Characters behaved foolishly and annoyingly and out of character, rapidly changing their minds dramatically in just one line of writing. Also, (spoiler alert) some weird stuff like making passionate love while still wearing clothes that are sopping with the blood of your enemies? It seemed like that was just a gross oversite in the writing not a weird fettish, but either way, not enjoyable to read. Also I dislike romance that is so dramatically on again, off again. Also it seemed pretty unbelievable at so many points, like the blood witch hiding in plain site working in a convent by day and having publically obvious sexual trysts at night and threatening to exsanguinate people whenever she got riled, seriously, the people at the convent didn't notice??? And other stuff like that.

This books story line you can find in thousands of horrible fanfictions. This entire story revolves around 2 characters who are mortal enemies being forced to get married and then inevitably fall as love and the author inserts a porn scene. The problem is the entire reason they have to get married is one of the most stupidest reasons I have ever read outside of fanfiction. Its like she didn't even try and I feel bad for the main character being dumbed down so much that she never even attempted to run away. The entire book from then on just crumbles and falls apart. The porn scene doesn't even feel naughty because the two characters have absolutely zero chemistry. but to each their own.

Serpent&Dove is the kind of book that every reader dreams of. The kind that captures your attention so much that you never noticed the sun has faded and darkness has captured the skies.Time becomes irrelevant. The only thing that matters is Lou and Reid’s story. 2 enemies, one is a witch in disguise. The other is a witch hunter determined to rid the world of these evil creatures. But fate puts them in quite the predicament when they are forced to get married. Marriage means Lou will be protected from her never ending list of enemies. And Reid can protect the Chasseurs’s image. But these two couldn’t be more different. Reid follows the laws to a T. Lou was born to break them. I love how wild and unapologetic Lou is. I even melted for the straight laced Reid. But Lou’s lies and deception can cost her the man she never meant to love and her life.I absolutely loved this book. And highly recommend everyone picks up a copy.

I originally downloaded the sample as I’ve come across it on multiple social media platforms. Its not something I normally read but something I didn’t even know I was looking for. I had no expectations nor did I read a summary of what this story was about so when I read it, I was hooked instantly. Great introduction to a world of witches. The idea of magic requiring balance, of sacrifice, was interesting and different from what I usually read. The relationship between Lou and Reid was refreshing and genuine and definite slow burn. Their interactions together were funny and endearing. Reid doesn’t easily give up his beliefs over a beautiful woman. There is an inner struggle with each character against what they’ve believed in and what they’ve come to learn. More realistic than most where everything always falls into place or works out for story sake. This story is told beautifully. I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds.

"I knew that I would remember him. I would feel his absence even after death, would ache for him to be near me in a way he could never be again. This was my destiny - my eternal torment. As much as it hurts to think of him, I would bear the pain gladly to keep even a small part of him with me. The pain meant we'd been real. Death couldn't take him away from me. He was me. Our souls bound. Even if he didn't want me, even if I cursed his name, we were one." The Chaussers are employed by the church to hunt witches and serve the people of Cesarine. Reid has been a Chausser his whole life and is bound in purity to serve tha cause that all witches are evil and should be annihilated. He has known notthing else. Rescused by the Archbishop as a baby, Reid's hunt continues as captain of the Chaussers. One day, Reid runs into a woman dressed as a man and she calls herself Lou. A street urchin who has many enemies and must fight for survival in a city that would burn her at the stake if anyone discovered who and what she really was. By some very public and very embarrassing circumstances, the Archbishop arranges a mutually beneficial marriage between Lou and Reid. But Lou had many secrets and many enemies, all coming to find her. This was definitely a hate to love trope all the way. There was a ton of cussing in this and this may be titled as YA but was really more like a new adult book as the one sex scene that was in this was way more discrptive than the usual YA book. The excessive cussing alone, would not have had me label this as New Adult. But the context of the cussing and the sex scene took this from borderline to all the way New Adult. I know this has been debated, but I can't see it as anything else. I loved the foul mouthed Lou, and the noble and loyal Reid. The chemistry and the banter had me excessively turning the pages. This was a great romance and I'm definitely seeing why everyone is taking about this book. Also the supporting characters were also very notable. Ansel and Coco where two other characters I became very much attached to. Usually I don't fall in love with supporting characters to this extent, but I'm just hooked and I care so much for them. All in all, this book was fantastic and now I know there is going to be a sequel I know getting to read it will feel like forever.

Hi my name is Cassy and I am quite often disappointed by a super-hyped up book but I can FINALLY SAY I READ A BOOK THAT LIVES UP TO THE HYPE. I was so nervous to read this book because usually I hate things that everyone else loves but NOT THIS TIME. I am already trash for witch magic and then you add in enemies to lovers slow burn and I am dead. The dynamic between the two MC's was so well done and made me unable to put the book down. Lou was one of my favorite protagonists I've read in a long time because I am also always here for sassy sarcastic funny females so more of that please. I loved seeing Reid as the more uptight one getting all flustered over a lady and Ansel is my child who must always be protected. I do wish there'd been more of a resolved ending but I can't even be fully mad like I usually am about it because I will 100% be preordering the sequel as soon as I'm able to can I do that yet or... I will say, I feel like this book was largely more NA than YA, based on the way the characters acted/spoke and the much more suggestive themes in the book. I really wish that this age group would become a thing because this is the exact type of story I (and a lot of people I think) would love to see more of :) *nudge* But Shelby is an instant read for me and I can't wait to see what other stories she has hiding in that wonderful brain.

A fun but juvenile story that touches on interesting social topics without actually creating anything memorable or profound. There were entertaining moments but the characters themselves are one dimensional and not especially likable. The world building is lackluster as well as the magic system. If you are an avid reader of fantasy both high and low, this will bother you. But if you are a new reader of fantasy it might be a flaw you can overlook. Arranged marriage romances can be tricky to develop and in this book it falls flat. These people despise each other due to religion and a history of hatred built on murder. You have to do a better job at developing that into 'I would die for you' kind of love. There is no genuine deep connection built on intellect or friendship. But more so one driven by circumstances and lust. It should have been developed over the course of the book until the end, but they "love" each other way too quickly. There should have been more moral philosophical struggles given the gravity of the situation. But that does not happen. This book genuinely reads like a fanfic and not a book deserving of its hype. I'm genuinely baffled by its good reviews.

If you like sappy teen dramas where the main character is such a Mary Sue and representation of unhealthy relationships, it makes you want to barf~ Read this book. After reading some of the reviews, I was like, "Eh, why not? I'm on vacation." Little did I know that this book would make me spiral into a deep dark depression contemplating if this book was actually written by a woman or an egotistical man who wants to brainwash girls young into thinking the toxic male character was actually romantic partner material. If I could give this negative stars, I would. Even if you ignore the characters' lack of development, you probably can't get past the uninteresting and brain cell destroying plot. I digress for my own sanity.

Strong start and middle, loved the characters, premise and twists. The ending was weaker, it felt very rushed and sadly tanked my enjoyment quite a bit. It was surprisingly insta-lovey for an enemies to lovers, and it became very apparent towards the end. We went from begrudgingly starting to like each other to love-of-my-life status real fast. By the end some of the rules of magic were also retconned which blew a hole in the world building, instead of acting like the twist I’m sure it was intended to be. It made the climax and cliffhanger fall flat. I’m mostly just sad about the ending because I really loved it for the first three quarters, I was so impressed I thought it was going to be a new favorite. The majority of the book was worthy of 4.5 stars, but the ending sadly drops it down to a 3-3.5 for me.

When Amazon kept recommending this book to me last year and into this year, I resisted buying or borrowing it because the premise wasn't exactly to my liking. I will admit that I generally don't read stories about fictional witches in society because the misogyny and patriarchy makes me angry, and I read fiction to relax. So this book was a "okay, fine, the first book got hyped so much and the second book is even more hyped and book box subscriptions are doing special editions so let's see what's so good about it." In a time where witches and witch hunting exist, carriages are used and dresses with laces are worn, are swear words and slang like "f***" and "give a rat's a$$" used? Is this the right vernacular of the time? I could be wrong, but it jarred me every time it happened. This book is ostensibly set in France but aside from the few French vulgarity and curse words thrown in, it felt very devoid of any French setting. The names were ok but a few names like Jean Luc & Beauregard & Cosette do not a France-based story make. I didn't buy the love story at all. The progression felt unlikely and I didn't see whatever redeeming qualities in Reid that Lou saw, that early in the book. Maybe this is how women can love and marry men in today's society despite the men supporting politicians and policies that strip women of their autonomy and dehumanize them.

This was a book that has been on my radar for a while, and while I definitely wanted to read it, it wasn’t exactly my most anticipated of the year. After reading this, I think it definitely should’ve been! I’m so happy that I was able to read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Two years before the events of this book, Lou leaves her coven (the reason for which is a spoiler and I’m certainly not giving it away) and in order to hide herself, stops using all magic and fights to survive by becoming a thief. For two years she managed to stay away and (mostly) out of trouble, until a burglary to get an object very important to her goes wrong and she ends up in a…compromising position with a chasseur. In this world, chasseurs are witch hunters and it just so happens that Lou is a witch. The Archbishop then gives Lou an ultimatum: go to jail for the rest of her life, or marry the chasseur whose reputation she has ruined. Of course, Lou chooses marriage because that means an extra level of protection from her coven, but also puts her in extreme danger if her new husband finds out what she really is. At first I thought it would be a simple plot line as this is more of a fantasy romance, but I was wrong and there were quite a few twists and turns and revelations along the way! One thing to note is that there is a fairly explicit sex scene in the latter half of the book so if that’s something that makes you uncomfortable here’s your warning! Oh, and there is quite a bit of profanity as well, if that isn’t your thing. I loved how sarcastic and crass Lou was! She frequently disguises herself as a man in order to move more freely in this world because women are meant to be meek and obedient – which Lou is definitely NOT. She isn’t afraid to be herself even if it means others give her strange looks. Then there is Reid, her chasseur husband. He is frequently described as having a stick up his ass and it’s honestly a great description of his personality…at least when we first meet him. It was so nice to watch him slowly open up to Lou and tell her more about himself and really let his true personality shine through. I also truly enjoyed the side characters in this book, especially Coco and Ansel! They were so supportive of Lou and Reid and were there for them when they needed it most. And how can I forget Beau singing Big Tiddy Liddy while stripping his clothes off? That was fantastic and so funny! Oh, did I mention that this is a French inspired world? Because it was so amazing! I know a little french (thanks to 6 years of French classes in school) so I was able to pick up on some of the words used throughout the book. My (limited) knowledge of French and French culture made me really enjoy the atmosphere and world building done in this book, and I feel like it’s very accessible to those unfamiliar with it. This story revolves around the fight between the Church and the witches, and I really liked that neither side was shown as completely good or completely bad, and the magic that the witches used was interesting. I do wish that it was explained a little more and the limitations of their magic shown, but for a debut and the first in a new series I think it was a solid start and I can’t wait to see the blood witches come into play more in the second book! (That isn’t a spoiler, we find out about blood witches within the first few chapters of the book.) If you couldn’t tell, I absolutely loved this book! It had a ton of things that I really love: enemies to lovers, slow burn, great female friendships, morally gray characters, and actual chemistry between the love interests! It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that could also be considered romance, and it reminded me how much I love being able to truly ship characters together and watch romance bloom. Plus, it’s the perfect read for fall! I would 100% recommend this to anyone looking for a fantastic fantasy with dangerous witches and steamy romance! I honestly couldn’t read fast enough and this book cured me of my reading slump! The characters are so fantastic you will be rooting for them the entire time and by the end, you’ll want to get your hands on every single piece of fanart that you can find.

I loved Serpent & Dove! this is one of those books you wish would never end. This book is full of magic, love, fun and brutal death. Such a good story, Lou and Reid are such opposites, their interactions are so much fun I busted out laughing. A war between witches and the church has been accelerated and the action doesn't stop. I can't wait to read book #2. I enjoyed this Authors writing and the setting of this lush fantasy read. I give Serpent & Dove 5 stars for its masterfully written novel. I would recommend this book to Fantasy Fans.

Now this story isn't perfect what initially got me to read this was the premise. I was entrance by the idea of a witch hunter and a witch getting married and falling in love. I really did like the character of Lou but there is a bit of inconsistency with not only her character but of many others. I did like the book and I read it pretty quickly and I'll probably read the sequel but I probably won't re-read it. It feels as though it's missing something that is lost and without it doesn't make it that great of a book. I liked it enough to finish it so that does mean something. There was a bit of repetition but I could easily ignore it because she did space it out a little bit. But that being said I had to reread some paragraphs because they didn't make sense at first until I had to think about it. But that was in the first chapter the rest of the chapter flowed better.

Trigger Warnings: intense violence, a lot of self harm, vague descriptions of scenes revolving around sex, physical abuse, physical assault, blood, gore, sexism, extortion, oppression, discrimination. Before I picked up Serpent & Dove, I was scrolling endlessly through all the saved books on my Scribd account when I accidentally hit back to home and saw it was the recommended book of the day. The cover was what instantly drew me to it, following by the synopsis. And when I say this book delivered, it freaking delivered on a gold platter!! After finding out that this debut novel was not only an enemies to lovers story but also had hate to love, I instantly knew this would be a five star read. Guess what, I was right! I was drawn into the world and I stayed right there, alongside Lou and Reid – who both of them are such babes! I am not generally a fan of multiple of point of views, but Serpent & Dove really was wonderful! Lou was this morally grey, ambitious, and outspoken character that you just couldn’t help falling in love with. She was sassy, sarcastic, knew what she wanted and took action. Everything I strive to be to be completely honest! Reid on the other hand was innocent yet not, strong willed, and oh so swoon worthy. The chemistry between these two characters was nothing but sass, sarcasm, and sparks – EVERYWHERE! Both Lou and Reid are perfectly imperfect and they suit each other so well! Even the minor characters were amazingly written and had their own chemistry with the main characters. The descriptions were extremely well done and the world building was powerful! I loved every twist and turn, and even became obsessed with binging the entire audiobook in one go. Shelby Mahurin is such a talented and addicting writer!! The way she was able to describe everything in 18th Century France was so well done. Getting the religious conflicts and terms correct was a definite win on Shelby’s part. This really helped fuel the passionate and forbidden love affair. Another thing that I enjoyed was the magic system! It was nice seeing different types of witches and what their capabilities/ things that they have to risk to perform magic. The magic system within Serpent & Dove was perfect for it’s setting – dark and rough. You never knew what each witch would have to do in order to cast a spell. With this also being set back in the 18th Century, it really showcased how witches were treated unfairly and the laws that were in place to crush them. This really hit the history part like a nail in a board. Overall, I absolutely adored this book and it’s characters! It made it onto my top ten favorite books of 2019 and is one that I recommend to everybody whenever I get a chance. This book is one that readers who love fantasy books, but not with all of the overload of fantasy information, will love. Serpent & Dove balanced the fantasy aspect along with not overloading too much information perfectly. It also delivered a wonderful world that you just want to immerse yourself into. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy, enemies to lovers, hate to love, witches, and historical settings.

Yikes!! Did not make it through the 1st chapter! I tried and failed! I really was excited to begin this! I bumped it up it my reading que. Instagram is raving about this! The cover is pretty, the blurb attractive, the content is repetitive and just not to my taste. Keep in mind that the cover also boasts a quote from Sarah J Maas, whom I adore. But this is the beloved author who wrote that Cat Woman fiasco. So... 🤷♀️🤦♀️🧟♀️ I felt icky very quickly! I did not expect a brothel with naked bowing courtesans to greet me. This may get better and I sincerely hope that it does and I wish my fellow readers well, but beware! I feel immensely let down! This tries to be a classic and failed for me. I'm so annoyed that I didn't begin this as soon as I purchased it, I can't return it now!! Totally feeling suckered in. Don't let this happen to you, if you purchase it, do yourself a huge favor and read the first chapter immediately to see whether it's to your taste.

'm still puzzling out why this one didn't work for me. I don't read a ton of young adult, but it turns out this is more new adult, which I both read and typically enjoy (especially fantasy NA!). I generally love slow-burn romances and an enemies-to-lovers tale. In fact, enemies-to-lovers might be my all-time favorite romance plot. So what gives? I figure that it must be a combination of not being able to connect with the main characters AND not feeling sufficiently invested in the overall stakes. The story centers around Louise le Blanc, a Dame Blanche (witch) hiding in the kingdom of Belterra from the La Dames-des-Sorcieres (head witch), who also happens to be her mother. She ends up in forced marriage with Reid Diggory, a captain in the Chasseurs, a.k.a. huntsmen who are sworn to the Church and dedicated to protecting the kingdom from witches by burning them alive. In short: we have a serious conflict of interest here! After a few chapters of action, we settle into the arranged marriage and Lou and Reid's life together. I didn't feel like I truly got to know either lead character well enough. One of the things I love about slow burns is you typically get some QT with the characters and delve into their motivations, strengths and weaknesses, and hopes and fears. Beyond his sweetness towards his wife, I felt that I didn't get to know Reid as a person. It also stretched my imagination that Lou survived among the Chasseurs as long as she did given their attitudes towards women and her beyond irreverent attitude. The action picks up again in the last 25 percent of the book and a gang of secondary characters swings into action and spends some time on center stage. I have to admit that there was some good banter between Reid and Lou. The author did a great job of threading in humor. Additionally, like anyone with a beating heart, this quote and its encore killed me: “‘Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from you.’” He trailed his fingers down my arm in slow, torturous strokes. My head fell back on his shoulder, my eyes fluttering closed, as his lips continued to move against my neck. “‘Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay.’”

This book was so good at the beginning. I was highlighting witty comments the main character was making-they made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed the shifting perspectives between chapters and liked how Reid seemed no nonsense. And then 50-60% of the way through the entire storytelling changed. It started to read like a YA novel, but not in a good way. There was a corniness to the character’s interactions and Reid became incredibly juvenile. The whole Madame Labelle and Archbishop thing was weird too. I understood how they worked as a plot device, but really neither of those characters was fleshed out enough for any kind of emotional response or connection to be formed by the reader. This was a super strange read for me in terms of feeling like it was two different books put together. Did the beginning get more editing than the ending? Was there a different ending and it was changed for the publisher? I’m not sure. Very odd. I’m not sure if I’ll read the second one.

I feel like I can’t even begin to describe just how pleasantly surprised I was by this novel. I am not a big fan of romance-heavy stories and one of my least favorite tropes of all time is hate-to-love relationships—so basically the two things the entire plot hinges on. Needless to say, I went into this very hesitantly. Very intrigued to learn how Lou and Reid end up in the position they do and to experience this story everyone has been raving about, but also keeping my expectations as low as I could. I did not for a second expect to come out of it knowing it will, without a doubt, be on my list of favorite books of the year. This is one of those books that I believe truly lives up to all the hype surrounding it. Serpent & Dove is a dual perspective narrative following Lou le Blanc, a witch, and Reid Diggory, a Chasseur, or witch-hunter. Lou has escaped from her coven and has taken refuge in the city of Cesarine. She lives in hiding. giving up magic and surviving as a thief. In Cesarine, witches are seen as a danger to all of society—they are hunted and burned, and no woman is above suspicion. Reid is sworn to the church and charged with the hunting and capture of witches, sworn into a role that demands he will not let a single witch live. In a surprising turn of events, Lou’s and Reid’s paths cross in a way neither of them could have ever expected. A way that leads to their marriage, that forms a seemingly impossible love, and that brings Lou under the roof of the people who could be her source of protection—or her death. The writing in this book is absolutely superb and cements Shelby Mahurin on my list of favorite authors. Her writing is gorgeous and so easy to fall into. It is incredibly clear how meticulously she formed every aspect of this novel. Both the plot and the setting are incredibly intriguing and captivating. I loved the French influences in all aspects of the story—it makes for a very vivid and enticing atmosphere and Cesarine is the perfect backdrop for everything that takes place. She also does a wonderful job with the dual perspective narrative and creates two very individual voices for our two main characters. Even though the romance is the main focus of the story, the fantasy aspect is very strong as well and is of almost equal importance. The fantastical elements, though more of a side plot for now, don’t really take a backseat in terms of detail or how significant they are to the overall story. Mahurin crafts an interesting and intricate magic system as strongly as she crafts the romance. It’s something I’m particularly looking forward to seeing in more detail in the next book. The only minor issue I had plot-wise was the event that sends Lou and Reid down the path toward their marriage. Though my opinion shifted by the end of the novel, as I was able to see every event throughout in a different light, the scene still felt a little bit clumsy and heavy-handed and also completely random, maybe a little too much so. It wasn’t at all what I would have expected and was a bit of a letdown for me, so I sort of wish it had been done differently. But overall, this barely affected my enjoyment of the story as a whole. This novel holds one of the most brilliant and beautiful casts of characters I’ve ever come across. Lou is everything. She is one of my new favorite characters of all time—I fell completely and utterly in love with her right from the very start of the novel. She is so strong despite the pain she has been through and the terror and uncertainty of her life now. Lou is sassy and sarcastic and absolutely hilarious. She’s tough and guarded much of the time, but underneath, she is so intensely loving, caring, and loyal—just an absolutely beautiful person. I connected with her so easily, and it was an absolute joy reading from her perspective and following her journey. It took me a while to warm up to Reid, but I definitely had by the end of the novel. He’s quite set in his ways and his prejudices against women, always acting in a very traditional way toward Lou. They are living in a time when women are little more than the property of their husbands and this is something that is clearly ingrained in Reid. He is protective of her and chivalrous to a fault, but it takes a while from him to sound anywhere near loving, even after it’s clear he has feelings for her. At first, I struggled a bit reading his chapters because his attitude and initial inability to be open-minded frustrated me so much. However, there is one major reason I noticed that I think prevented me from connecting with him sooner. Yes, he is very close-minded in many of his beliefs and his actions, but I felt that there were a few times where things sort of got lost in translation in a sense. There would be scenes from his point of view where his actions and words felt a bit confusing to me and I took them as negative. But later on, something would cause me to realize what exactly he meant by what he said or did and that it wasn’t in fact negative. I don’t think I explained that particularly well, but basically, I think there were times where his point of view could have been written more clearly. In the end, though, I did end up really liking him and it does become very obvious how much he truly cares and would do anything for Lou. I ended up absolutely adoring the relationship between Lou and Reid. It unfolds and transforms in such a natural way. As I said before, hate-to-love is one of my least favorite tropes, but it is done so well here that I didn’t really mind it. It’s still not something I enjoy reading about and that obviously does impact my rating of the novel slightly. However, few people can get me to like a novel that features this type of relationship, and Mahurin definitely nailed it. My problem with the trope tends to stem from the tension being completely nonsensical and feeling like it’s just thrown in to create drama, and you will not find that in this book. The tensions between Lou and Reid feel so realistic and necessary—they have every reason to be wary of each other. Understandably, that they sometimes overlook what they truly know about the other as a person in favor of ideas and prejudices that were hammered into them from a young age. They are both strong characters that are unapologetically themselves and, while it causes them to butt heads at first, it turns into a mutual respect for each other and, of course, love as well. The issues that create conflict, in the beginning, are what come to be the things that pull them together rather than drive them apart. And the sum of both of them individually—the strengths and the flaws—is what brings them each to love the other wholly. There are also some stellar side characters in this story. Coco was, by far, my favorite—she is totally someone I’d love to be friends with. The friendship between her and Lou is so lovely and I’d gladly spend hours just reading about them. They have such a fun dynamic and they always have each other’s backs no matter what. They are the definition of found family and their story warmed my heart. Ansel, a bit like Reid, took me a while to start really liking, but he turns out to be an absolutely wonderful person and a great addition to that lovable found family. Suffice it to say, I really enjoyed this book. It is so beautifully written and captivating—it is very easy to fall into and get lost in. Shelby Mahurin has created a magical and emotional tale, both heartbreaking and heartwarming that, at its core, brilliantly demonstrates the power of love of all kinds. The story and especially the characters will definitely stick with me for a long time. I’ve honestly been thinking about it constantly since I finished it a few months ago. And, of course, I am absolutely dying to get my hands on the next book in this series. I love how this ended and I cannot wait to be back with these characters once again and see their story continue.

In this book we follow Lou who is a witch in hiding, and Reid who’s a witch hunter desperate to make his mentor proud. Lou is living from day to day, hiding and stealing to get away from a past she doesn’t want to remember or speak of. Together with her friend Coco, a blood witch, she’s seeking to steal a piece of jewelry called Angelica’s Ring. It’s a magical piece who’ll help Lou hide from those who seek to find and kill her. But when the mission takes un unfortunate turn, Lou and Reid is forced to marry to avoid a scandal. Now Lou is trapped in a tower crowded by witch hunters who’ll burn her without question if they knew what she is. At the same time, there’s probably no safer place to hide from those she’s hiding from. So, I tried my best to share what the book was about here, but I found it surprisingly difficult. I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what the book is about. I thought this would be a riveting story of a war between witches and the church, of battle and enemies falling in love and hard choices. But, to be honest, it wasn’t that. It’s a love story more than anything. Most of the book revolves around the relationship between Reid and Lou and how they learn to love each other. Of course, there are more there, too, but that’s not as relevant. At the beginning we’re set up for this big plot of Lou’s secrets and a powerful enemy searching for her. At the end, we get the battle we were promised, but in between there’s nothing, just love story. It wasn’t what I expected, but it wasn’t bad, far from it. I liked the love story, it felt real up until the last 10%. It was a fairly easy read, and I enjoyed the book. The plot is, well, not there, really, but still it is, in a way. The way it was written was both confusing and overcomplicated, and then at times simple and easy to read. It’s like two books in one, I feel like. The opening made me regret picking up the book. I couldn’t wrap my head around what I was reading. It was complicated and unfocused and just strange (and not in a good way). But I stuck with it, and a couple of chapters in, around the time when the two main characters were forced into marriage, the story changed. This is where it became easy to read and the language was completely different. The characters were interesting and well developed, and I enjoyed them all. I do find that the two POVs were a little too similar, though. It was Lou and Reid, and if it hadn’t been for the name being mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, I wouldn’t have known who’s POV it was a lot of the times. Their dialogue was different, but their inner thoughts didn’t match. Specifically, Reid’s inner thoughts sounded like Lou’s. The worldbuilding was also done well. I could argue that this whole French inspired thing was a bit unnecessary, but I kind of got used to them tossing in French words out of the blue here and there. I mean, they were drinking chocolat chaud instead of just hot chocolate. It was a bit random. Overall, it was a good book, I enjoyed it. I can’t really say more than that. Read it if you like love stories.

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩.” —Shelby Mahurin Dripping with forbidden romance, this angsty story kept me flipping pages. I enjoyed the witchy vibes, the abundance of tropes like enemies-to-lovers, forced marriage, and human sacrifice, and the French setting. The characters both face internal struggles and satisfying character arcs. And where can I get me some sticky buns?!? “𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙡, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩. 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙗𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙡𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘. 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙧.” Serpent & Dove is told from two POVs. We get to see things from both Reid and Lou. There are some minor characters like Coco and Ansel who are also quite enjoyable. I liked that both main characters suffered from misconceptions that they were forced to make peace with. This made for very satisfying character arc redemption. Plus, their romance together was a slow burn bickering fest that made my heart grin with wickedness. The story itself was fluid and structured well. The ending was satisfying but left just enough tension to catapult readers straight into the second book. I would have liked a bit more depth with certain things like the magic system and politics. It lacked the complexity that I like to see in fantasy romance. I’m hoping we will get more of these layers in subsequent books. 𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝟰/𝟱⭐️

Serpent & Dove weaves the tale of Lou, a witch fated to a dark future, and Reid, a huntsman trained to destroy everything Lou represents. When their lives intertwine, and Lou and Reid begin to develop forbidden feelings for each other, they must learn to see past their histories for a chance at a future together. As Reid and Lou face their own mysterious pasts, a larger war is brewing between the witches and huntsmen - a war generations in the making. I devoured Serpent & Dove. The plot intrigued me, and I found myself caught up in Lou and Reid's perspectives, anxious to see who would put aside their differences first and admit to the love growing between them. Lou was spunky, and Reid was her perfect balance. The writing was easy to get lost in, and I stayed up reading way later than I should have the last two nights because I was dying to know how the book ended. I was delightfully surprised with Serpent & Dove, and I can't wait to dig into the sequel.

I was nervous going into this because it has had mixed reactions/reviews. But I ended up really enjoying it. I liked the characters, world, plot, and pacing. Lou was probably my least favorite character, but I don’t hate her or anything. She was very brash, but almost to the extreme. She definitely thought she was witty. But it’s really easy to be cruel and sometimes she thought she was really harsh to Reid. He tried to be understanding and I didn’t like her behavior with him. But I am open to character development. Reid was more interesting to me. He was a huge internal struggle to deal with and that is fascinating. I am very interested to see where his story goes. Coco is another character I really enjoyed. She is pretty mysterious. I would love for her to become a POV character-just saying. Then, there’s Ansel. Sweet precious Ansel. I just loved him. I want to protect him. I am very excited, but nervous to see where he goes in the future. I like the witchcraft elements. There are different types of magic and how the power is obtained. That’s a magic system I enjoy reading about. It could’ve been better explored/explained but, again, it’s a series so I’m not going to be hyper-critical of that. The plot was compelling and kept me engaged. The larger political/social conflict is interesting, but not as good as the internal and interpersonal conflicts. Like I said, Reid’s internal struggle is particularly well done. I’m more interested to see where those plots go. How many books will be in this series? I really hoping for a duology, because I’m over big drawn out series.

Serpent & Dove was first brought to my attention by one of my friends who has been basically forcing all of her friends to read this book. She was super convincing, though, listing all the tropes the book has and raving about it. So of course I bought it. And then I read the synopsis. The next few days of my life after that were taken over by Serpent & Dove--and now it's got a solid place on my all-time favorites list. First and foremost I've got to talk about how well this book was written. It draws you in right away and enfolds you in this dark world. Then you learn about the characters, and BAM you care about them. And you're invested in their story, their secrets and where things are going. And this is all just in Part I, btw. It was at the end of Part I where I was like "THIS BOOK IS AMAZING." So by then it'd already drawn me in and won me over and I was all in for the ride it'd take me on. The characters were complex. I especially loved the contrast between gray area Lou and straight arrow Reid. And the supporting characters! There's not a single one that wasn't necessary and well threaded into the story. I basically live for precious cinnamon roll Ansel. The relationships! The friendships--Lou and Coco particularly. That ride or die friendship warmed my soul. And the cuteness that was Lou and Ansel. As I said, I live for him. And then there was the familial bonds that were so interesting and I'm looking forward to exploring more in the next book. And of course I can't not mention the romance between Lou and Reid. Their romance was many things. Enemies to lovers. A marriage of convenience. A slow, beautiful burn. To put it simply, it was everything I want in a romance done exactly right. My heart is beating all fast and I'm smiling just thinking about it. I was head over heels for this couple and I already miss them and need the sequel and maybe I'll re-read soon... Overall, Serpent & Dove is a debut that is not to be missed! Slow burn romance, witches, friendships, and so much more... y'all need to get your hands on this book. It's definitely one that's going to be added to my frequent re-read rotation--as I said in the beginning, this is a new all-time favorite for me. And, obviously, one of the best books I've read this year!

Yay for Serpent & Dove! I thought this was a great read. Very imaginative and I enjoyed the growth of the relationship between our two main MCs while still developing an interesting story. What I LOVED about the book; THE CHARACTERS! (Yes, I totally said that out loud while shaking my hands in the air!) They are fantastic! Literally every single one of them! Even the dillholes of the book are written well. This is one of those rare books where I even loved a secondary character as much as the MC. Trust me, you will love her too. Her name is Coco and she is fantastic! The unraveling of the story along with the character’s pasts is beautifully done. But be prepared; the story is a bit dark. Not necessarily in an evil way (although *chough* her mom sucks) but the feel to it. Shelby Mahurin takes us into a different world full of witch burnings and corrupt leaders. So why four stars and not five. . . and now I feel like a butt. However, it is what it is. First, it did not keep me up at night. I enjoyed the book, but I was not engrossed enough to lose sleep over it. Second, I started to get a little board. This happens, I get it. But it was just enough to keep me from immediately picking up the second book in the series. However, I WILL finish the series; just gonna will wait till August when Gods & Monsters comes out so I can go from one to the next. My only remaining comment, if you are looking for a light and happy read or a romance with a happy ending . . . go read something else. Then when you are in a better place come back and read this.

4.5 stars. There are lots of books these days that are classified as YA that I think shouldn’t be. I wouldn’t necessarily want teenagers, especially younger ones, reading this or Throne of Glass, for instance. There is a lot of darkness in this book, like witch burnings and throat slitting, and there is also sex, so again, if I had to classify it I’d rather put it in the New Adult category. Setting that aside (I just wanted to put it out there), I loved Reid especially. His whole worldview is threatened when he is forced by the Archbishop to marry Lou, and that’s BEFORE he even finds out she’s a witch. I liked his internal struggle with his beliefs and what he’d always been taught, and his love for Lou that actually did overcome prejudices. I loved Ansel as a side character, he’s such a sweetheart! The only thing that didn’t quite fit for me was the inclusion of Beau into the “inner circle” towards the end. There is no logical reason that Coco or Madame Labelle should trust him, since he is the king’s son. Even if he hates his father, it would stand to reason that he would still hold some of his father’s beliefs, like “kill the witches”. He must be important in the next book, because otherwise I don’t see what his purpose is. I am ready to find out more about the blood witches, and why Coco’s aunt is so important. If you like enemies to lovers, magic, and great side characters, then pick up this book!

I shall write this review in the form of a list of the things I liked (and things I didn't like, which is literally only two things, and only my own personal opinion, really, because I LIKED THIS BOOK A LOT). Things I liked (no spoilers): Lou and Reid's dynamics! Despite the seriousness and craziness of the situation they both found themselves in, their dynamics was just so fun from the start. I couldn’t wait for those two complete opposites to finally fall in love. And when they did it was just... 🧡 How Lou is just unapologetically herself. Granted, I was sympathizing with Reid when she was cursing because much like Reid I'm also a prude 😂 but Lou just had such a vibrant personality and she never tried to make herself different for anyone's sake. I loved that about her. And I loved her. Reid. I love Reid too. Aside from a very annoying thing he did, but we'll get to that in the things I didn't like. Aside from that though, I loved Reid! I related to his prudish personality a lot, and I think the author definitely managed to sell me on the whole "serious and stoic" love interest. Who needs a bad boy when you can have a Reid who will honor and protect you forever? STICKY BUNS 🧡 I am not usually the type to be taunted with foods in books (even though I LOVE food and especially sweets), BUT OMG was I taunted here! I want a sticky bun, the author found my weakness! At one point during all those revelations at the end, my heart was beating out of my chest and I literally had to put the book aside to compose myself. Lou and Reid together are just so precious and I want SO MUCH MORE of them in the next book. Things I liked (with spoilers): The gang! I just loved our gang at the end, their dynamics was such fun. I'll be so sad if they part ways in the next book because I just love all of them together - Lou, Reid, Ansel, Coco, Madam Labelle, Beau (yep, Beau was a surprise because I didn't think I'll like him but now I really like him!) Madam Labelle being Reid's mother - so cool! I liked that he started caring for her in the end, and I hope to see him come to care for her more. I know they have a long way to go, but I hope they do because it would be so precious. I was so scared at the end there when it looked like she died, and PHEW that she didn't! Reid killing the Archbishop. Okay, so I didn't want the Archbishop to die at the end. Granted, I wanted to punch him in the face repeatedly in the beginning, but after we found out he was Lou's father it was just... O_O . But wow wow wow wow, Reid killing him to save Lou's life SO DARK and also HECK YES at the same time? I don't even know, but I'm just glad Reid is willing to do anything to save Lou. Love it. Which brings us to, Reid is a witch! He wasn't just born to a witch, he can do actual magic!We still don't know how it works - can he really do it all the time? Was it just a one time thing because Lou almost died and so he almost died too? Is it something that awakened in him in those moments of darkness? I personally hope it's something he'll still be able to do in the next book and not just a one time thing! Reid cursing like 3 times at the end of the book 😂 Never thought I would be so delighted by a character cursing, but boy this was good. Lou reading that book about those two lovers from warring countries! Loved it! And how it was like a nod to us readers to our own fangirling situation with Reid and Lou. Things I didn't like (with spoilers): There are only really two things that I had personal issues with. The whole "past love interest" trope. And yeah, I'm talking about Celie and Reid. I mean, it's not that I don't understand what Reid found in her. It makes sense that he would fall in love with someone like Celie, especially since they've known each other since they were children. But it just made the whole "falling in love with Lou" a bit less realistic when he was technically still in love with Celie in the beginning of the book. It is a bit jarring that he could just move from his so called love to Celie and right to Lou. Don't get me wrong, I'M SO HAPPY he fell for Lou, the love of his life, so I'm assuming when he said he loved Celie, he did love her, but he probably wasn't in love with her for some time now. But in general, yeah, I always had trouble with the past love interest trope, when one of the protagonists is still half in love with said past love. Reid rejecting Lou when he found out she was a witch. Haha... yep, that moment. I nearly threw the book aside when Lou was just about to tell him she's a witch in their room and they were interrupted in a classic interruption scene just when someone is about to reveal something really important 😂 I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but I just knew then and there Reid was going to find out Lou is a witch in the wrong way. And yep, he did. And yep, he BROKE HER HEART. AND I WAS SO MAD. SO MAD I TELL YOU. I understand. I understand Reid was practically brainwashed since he was born. You can't just erase brainwashing of years and year, DOESN'T MEAN I STILL CAN'T BE MAD THOUGH. I am glad, however, that he apologized at the end. That he even cried and blamed himself. At the very least he's repenting about it. So I'm glad. In conclusion (with spoilers): What will happen now! Our gang is so not our of the woods yet. If anything, they're in even deeper woods. Madam Labelle and Beau are said to go talk to the king, persuade him not to act rashly. As for Lou, Reid, Aansel and Coco, they must seek sanctuary with Coco's aunt, now that they're all fugitives. Everyone would want Lou dead, especially her mother - who is still alive and probably the biggest threat - and everyone saw Reid kill the Archbishop, so he's wanted too. And Ansel, of course, who aided them both. Not to mention Coco, who also aided and is known as a witch. How will Reid deal with the PTSD he probably just got from killing the Archbishop, finding out the love of his life his a witch, he's the son of a witch and probably has magic too, and his wife is still threatened by practically everyone? Now I really want to read Blood & Honey. Fun times ahead, people ;)

Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: From the characters to the setting, everything was well crafted and absolutely addictive. “A witch and a witch hunter bound in holy matrimony. There was only one way such a story could end–a stake and a match.” // Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Mature Content, Suicide Mention, Self Harm (for magic), Rape Mention, Murder, Illness // “They might’ve all been hypocrites, but I was the biggest of all.” Release Date: 9/3/2019 Publisher: HarperTeen Page Count: 528 Premise: Serpent and Dove follows Louise la Blanc, a witch who fled her coven, and Reid Diggory, a witch hunter. After a chaotic second meeting, Lou and Reid must marry to save his reputation, and Lou would rather face the pyre than the enemies chasing her. However, when feelings grow, what was first a simple arrangement becomes infinitely more complicated. “There are some things that can't be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt." - Writing & Setting- Historical novels, or fantasy books heavily influenced by history, intimidate me. While I do love them, a lot of times the story feels bogged down by world-building. So naturally, I was a little scared when starting this book. I had no reason to be. The writing in this book is so easy to immerse yourself into. The dialogue is funny and witty, the inner thoughts of the two protagonists are painfully relatable, and the world felt fleshed out without heavy exposition dumps! Speaking of the world- I love this magic system. It’s well written, with plenty of specifics so you’re never left confused, yet vague in certain areas so you can be surprised. This is one of the few fantasy magic systems that I feel I truly understand, and what makes me really happy is that no one seems overpowered, and there are things in place so no one can become overpowered. “It doesn’t end in death. It ends in hope. Hope. A hope they would never see, would never feel, would never touch. As elusive as smoke. As flickering flames.” - Plot - Serpent and Dove is written in a way where you don’t realize how fast the pages are going by until three hours have passed and you’re halfway through the book. Speaking from experience. I had to physically put the book far away from me so I wouldn’t finish it in one day. Why didn’t I want to finish it in one day? It was too fun and I knew the second I was done, I wouldn’t be able to read anything else because I would just want more of this book. (I was right, by the way). The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of action, magic, and drama. The romance plotline definitely plays a huge part in this book, but there is still a lot happening outside of it. There are great themes discussed, plenty of action, and no unnecessary drama. “Witches and people alike. One and the same. All innocent. All guilty. All dead. But not me.” - Characters - I would read 100 pages of these characters just sitting in a room together. There are four main characters, with two POV characters, and they all interact really well. Each one of them has a well-defined personality and felt grounded and realistic. They also had amazing interactions and bounced off each other well. Even the side characters were multi-faceted and compelling, no matter how few pages they were on. There’s not a single character in this book who I wouldn’t want to know more about. But back to our main protagonists, Lou and Reid. I love them so much. Seriously. Their opposing personalities lead to some great banter, but even on their own, they are strong and fascinating main characters. Lou is a strong female protagonist, but she sets herself apart from the other strong female protagonists in YA fantasy by not being perfect and having weaknesses and flaws that ground her. Speaking of flaws- Reid. Reid has the best character development I’ve seen in a while. He’s a fascinating character from start to finish, and I can’t wait to see where this series takes his journey! “The future is inevitable. We might as well be proactive” - Conclusion - Pros- awesome characters, absolutely amazing romance, great magic system, and setting Cons- I don’t know how I can move on after this book. It ruined me for all other books Overall- 5/5 stars. Serpent and Dove is a must-read 2019 release. This book reminded me exactly why I love fantasy. I started to reread it the second I put it down.

Since jumping into the fantasy genre a couple months ago, I’ve learned to just plain expect less when I crack open a “sparkling debut,” but this one still managed to disappoint me. Like most fantasy books, the best part of it is the setting, the characters feel a little contrived, and the dialogue feels trite — but as I’m starting to understand, that really is just normal for the genre, so it’s not the reason I disliked the book. I’ll be totally honest: the male lead is a 7-foot tall ginger megacatholic with an anger problem, and he’s (gag) named Reid. That’s a fetish, not a heartthrob, girl. The first half of the book leads up to a sex scene which thoroughly convinced me the author is a virgin, because it’s written the way I wrote sex scenes when I was a virgin — vague, shy, somewhat emotionless, totally uncreative — so imagine my surprise when I found out she has two kids. She really needs to read more good sex scenes and practice writing them if she wants to publish them. There’s also a moment that’s supposed to read as steamy and romantic which happens right on the heels of a fight, but it’s a fight in which the main character is genuinely scared for her life and the romantic part takes place in a literal puddle of blood. That one failed to come together for me. All in all, the concept and storyline are entertaining, but the author’s inexperience really comes through.

A witch and a witch-hunter: is there a more unlikely love in the world? Lou is a witch, unused to using her powers, having run away from her coven to seek survival in the streets of the city Cesarine. Reid Diggory is an orphan who abandoned to live within the Church and grew up to be the Archbishop’s right-hand man in dispensing supernatural life. Through a series of events, the two of them meet and are forced to marry, despite their extreme differences in personality, disposition and the fact that they’re on opposite sides of this long-fought battle between men and women, witch and human. The two of them are bound together as Lou’s past threatens to overtake their relationship. Okay, I was so into this book that I stayed up almost all night to read it. This is the book that sprung me out of my reading slump. I need a sequel, I need a trilogy and I need it within the next 30 days. It was *that* good. This might be a YA book but it definitely felt way older to me. I loved it because it had contemporary language (including cursing), Louise is my soulmate, I want to feed Ansel cinnamon buns for the rest of his life, I need CoCo to be my best friend and Reid Diggory is definitely going to be the book boyfriend I dream about for the next few weeks. Yum and hubba hubba 😍.

This book is definitely worth the read. My thoughts: 1) The 1st few chapters were tough to get through. They read as they the readers knows more about the magic background than we do. It also lacked much substantive plot that made me want to continue reading. However by the time I got midway through the story picked up and I was hooked 2) The female lead character. I did not like her until midway through the book. So I struggled to care about the story because I didn't care for her. Reid however captured my heart immediately though so I weathered through and now love them both equally All in all the story is very good. I enjoyed it and will continue with book 2

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but damn, I loved it. Lou is FUN, wild, and unabashed. Reid seems stuffy at first but as time goes on, he begins to warm up and we see his wit and intelligence shine through. Together they are a powerhouse. I love the romance, the wit, the funny scenes, and the way all the plots intertwine. I cannot wait for a continuation of their story!

Serpent & Dove is filled with all of my favorite things - an interesting magical system, a sassy and intelligent heroine, a honorable yet stubborn hero, danger, twists, and an enemies to lovers romance. Lou is a fantastic character who I adored from the start with her humor and wit. She is a clever thief who is trying to move forward with her life after leaving her coven. She finds herself forced into marriage with Reid who has sworn to protect people by killing witches. These two are amazing together. I loved how their relationship developed throughout this novel in a way that felt genuine. Their bickering was entertaining and their sweet moments made me sigh more than once. They’re one of my new favorite book couples. I also loved the adventure and pacing of this story. I was constantly entertained and couldn’t put it down because I had to know what would happen next. It is filled with other characters I loved as well - particularly Coco and Ansel. I cannot wait for more of these characters in the sequel.

Witches, France, a period piece, and multiple favourite tropes? What more can you ask for?!? I instantly fell in love with Lou. She is entirely unapologetic and refuses to abide by the standards that society dictates. Her characterization was written really well and never seemed over the top. Lou had me run to the store so I could bake sticky buns myself! I also really have a soft spot for Ansel. He deserves better. Favourite part of the whole book: Big Tiddy Liddy. I need the whole song. I highly anticipate the release of Blood & Honey. (x-posted on my Goodreads account)

For two years Lou, aka Louis le Blanc, has been on the run, hiding in plain sight as a street urchin and thief in the city of Cesarine. She does what she must to survive, everything but magic. In her debut novel, Serpent and Dove, Shelby Mahurin beautifully constructs a world where witches and magic abound. In Casarine no witch is safe. The huntsmen of the church wish to eradicate the very existence of witches and magic. These men pledge their lives and unending loyalty to achieving a common goal - seeing witches burn. Lou is no stranger to being hunted. She even has the scars to prove how close she's come to being caught, but if there is one special talent Lou has, it is the art of escape. In a whirlwind of serendipitous events, Lou finds herself begrudgingly married to Reid, captain of the Huntsmen. As Lou navigates this new and precarious situation, she fails miserably at hiding her foul mouth and love of pub songs. Unknowingly, Lou has set in motion a chain reaction that will change everything the witches and the huntsmen have always believed. I must say I really loved Lou’s character. She is a strong willed female protagonist who reuses to see the world as merely black and white. Lou exemplifies the fact that not all witches are bad. She encourages the huntsmen to look for the humanity in the creatures they hunt. Reid grew on me as the book progressed. He is a really stiff character at the beginning of the book. But in all honesty, that is exactly how he is meant to be perceived. What got me the most was his mile wide stubborn streak and how it really impeded his dawning realizations and his fledgling ability to see the world in shades of gray. You will be overjoyed to know that this book does not end on a terrible cliff hanger or anything wild that will leave you in shock when you finish. So go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief. However, do not be mistaken, you will find yourself biting your nails on the edge of your seat time and time again. The unexpected events throughout Serpent and Dove have a nice time release quality, artistically woven throughout the entire book. This book won’t let you down but when you're finished you will be disappointed to know that book two - Blood and Honey’s release date isn't until September 1st!

Lou is a witch while Reid is a Chasseur (super religious witch hunter). And under certain circumstances, the two are thrust into holy matrimony together. Reid doesn't know Lou's true identity, and although going in the belly of the beast isn't what she wanted, it's a welcomed security. Because Reid isn't her biggest enemy, and at least right now, he doesn't want her dead. I would give this book 4.5 stars. After page ten, I was hooked into the characters and what was going on. I loved the whole enemies to lovers between Reid and Lou - even when I was so frustrated with Reid's view on witches. But his character development was believable and the right pace for the book. Although some of the 'big' reveals weren't "Oh my god, really?" and more the kind where you're like 'oh well that makes sense', I still really enjoyed it. I don't like big over the top reveals unless it's a mix of those two reactions. Overall, a very enjoyable read and if I didn't have a life, I would have finished it in one sitting for sure!

Not a bad book overall. It took a while for me to get into it, however. I'd say around the 5th chapter, I was able to grasp what was going on. **SPOILERS** I do wish the author took more time convincing me with the ending. The entire book is based on two opposite individuals passionate about everything they believe in. Perhaps I missed it, but there was no hinting that Reid could be a witch. He was so religiously crazed, it seemed very left field that he suddenly dropped all his beliefs (despite everyone "betraying" his beliefs) and then he's suddenly a witch. I also wish Reid and Lou spent more time falling in love. I always kind roll my eyes when people are suddenly in love a few weeks after they've been together and let's be real, they never acted like a true couple until 3/4s of the book was over. Good enough for me to want to read the next book. This one just felt a little rushed and the sudden change in characters threw me off a bit with no warning.

I could not put this book down! This was a great debut novel and I am excited about the sequel. Lou and Reid complement one another really well. Their slow-burn romance was really well done. I thought Celie was going to be more of an obstacle, but by then Reid was already falling in love with Lou. Many of the reviews question why Lou didn't run away and I admit I think she should have attempted once, but there was a good reason. She had Grue and Andre looking for her. Sure she is strong and has magic, but even those had their limits. Plus she also didn't want to be burned at the stake. Yes, she had Angelica's ring, but there wasn't really anywhere for her to run too. But, she didn't give up. She practiced magic in secret and was getting stronger so eventually, she could leave. But, then her growing feelings for Reid complicated things. Her sole purpose in life was to be born to die in a plot for her mother's revenge. Growing up she never knew her father and when she found who he was it was clear that he could not love her either. Reid gave her that love that she craved her whole life. Yes, there is still a lot about the world of witches that still needs to be revealed, but I feel like that will be touched on more in the sequel. And there are still walls that Reid and Lou have up toward one another, but they've only known each other for less than a month and it took about two weeks for them to start loving one another. It would be unnatural if they started spilling their secrets all at once. Their relationship was still raw and she didn't know how he would react to knowing that she was a witch. And again there is a whole other book. The author has to save something for the next book.

Serpent and Dove by @shelbymahurin This book had so much hype here on #bookstgram that I HAD to buy it! I was so excited to finally crack it open and then I was so let down at first. Honestly the first half of the book went really, really slow for me. To the point where I would usually DNF a book but since it had so much hype I plugged along and I am SO glad I did! This definitely ended up being a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five star read for me! . All the world building and character development at the beginning was well worth the amazing enemies to lovers story! The French setting was new to me and I loved it, it couldn’t have been a more perfect background for all the history of the witches included in this book. I also loved the magical system introduced and hints at how it will evolve as the series progresses. In addition I always love morally characters as they are relatable and often have flaws we see in ourselves. I am very much looking forward to book two!

I love paranormal/fantasy romance, but I haven't read that many that focus on witches. This book has awakened my love for them, and I can't wait to read more books that feature witches. Serpent & Dove is a mature Young Adult Fantasy romance, that kept me entertained and interested until the last page. I usually have to get familiar with a new world and characters when I start a new series, but that was not the case with this book. It was really easy to follow and the pace of the story was great. Louise le Blanc is a pretty awesome heroine, I loved her personality and street smartness. She did a great job in taking care of herself. Her banter with her 'enemy' Reid was so much fun, and I enjoyed seeing how it developed into something more. She is a witch and he is a witch-hunter, they shouldn't make sense but were great together. They were a great match. All the side characters were amazing as well. I especially loved Lou's best friend Coco, and Chasseur in training Ansel. What I loved most about this book was the world that the author Shelby Mahurin has created. It was so original and captivating. I could really imagine everything that happened in my mind. I was sucked into the story and it felt like I was one with the characters. I laughed when they did, and cried when they did. This story had everything I wanted: humor, suspense, mystery, action, and of course romance. This book is long but it didn't feel like it. There was no dull moment and everything was connected. I loved the plot twists which I feel added another layer to the story. The ending to this book was also executed really well. It made me anticipate the next book without having me on edge for a year. Like I mentioned earlier, this book is a fantastic debut novel and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

This was a good book. In the hands of a seasoned author: Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, J. K. Rowling it would have been a great book. The author made one big mistake she has both main characters telling the story in first person (ie: I saw, I did) instead of one character telling the story in third person (ie: he did, he saw.) When you are caught in the heat of the story and you cut into another chapter you are not going to look up and see the name of who is talking, as this author has done.I found it confusing. If maybe in the next book her publisher or agent will suggest a change, I doubt it. Other than that the story flows and is a good read. I guess the second one is coming out in August next (2020). That would be AWESOME because this is definitely a fun beach read! Like I said this author is a definite talent to watch. Just needs to change the style of which character is telling the story.

Good solid story. I liked the humor and the opposing characters and how they all ended up having to "get along" at certian parts. There was quite the web of relationships and that kept me on my toes. I liked the uniqueness of the magic. I wanted more world building, especally in the beginning. More of an explanation of the title. I would have liked more of a balance between the developing romance and the a tion in the plot, and I would have really loved more scenes with the use of the magic so get a better "visual" idea of it. I will be reading book two and I hope we get more time with some of the characters and the same humor and steam as book one. Four solid stars.

Louise "Lou" Le Blanc is a witch, and pickpocket, with a penchant for sweets. Her mother tried to kill her so she left her coven and now lives with her best friend Coco on the streets of Cesarine. She has been searching for an enchanted ring that will protect her from magic. Yet there are those that hunt witches. It isn't safe in the streets. Chasseurs are soldiers taught to kill witches. Reid is the captain of the Chasseurs. He takes his orders directly from the Archbishop. The man tasked with ridding the Cesarine of Witches. The Chasseurs motto is "Thou shall not suffer a witch to live". After several mishaps Reid and Lou are forced by the Archbishop to wed. Hilarity ensues as Lou tries to hide her true identity and Reid must wed a criminal. This was so well written. I loved the characters. The empathy and emotion were easy to feel throughout the storyline. The book was filled with plot twists and turns at every angle. I can't wait to read the next book Blood & Honey.

I loved the intricate world building and fresh and exciting magic system. The way the conflict and the stakes are set up was just perfect. I loved Reid and Lou was quite hilarious. I liked the fact that although the book starts with a forced wedding the relationship between Lou and Reid builds gradually and is in no way instalove. They did seem to skip a few stages between be grudging respect and undying devotion but I can overlook that given the awesome resolution. There was a great cast of supporting characters, Ansel was adorable and Coco delightful though the prince kind of appeared out of nowhere and was the weakest link in the ensemble. Bas also deserves honorable mention and I was sad he was phased out. I really enjoyed all the plot twists towards the end and I look forward to the sequel

This was much better than I had expected. Set in a sort of alternate France in which the Church has outlawed witchcraft, and empowered witch-hunters called Chasseurs to hunt them down, a witch on the run from her own people ends up forced into a marriage with a Chasseur. This sounds absurd, and indeed this part seemed very contrived - it's really why I have it 4 stars instead of 5. Anyway, tale as old as time - the odd couple start off hating each other but end up in love. Battles with evil witches and with evil wich-hunters give some fun action sequences. A world with No on on male witches ends up with a male witch. And it ends with a cliffhanger involving a very different coven of witches. So. Looking forward to the next book . . .

4.5!!!!! *** I gave it 4.5 only because I found it to be very adult for a Young Adult novel. As a former bookseller, I know many parents aren’t going to let their teenagers read it and will have problems with some of the adult content in this young adult novel. However I personally loved it. That was my only concern! Now on to my review... I definitely dived right into this book starting with the first chapter. I found the writing throughout the entire book to be captivating and descriptive enough to either pull me in or keep me guessing, and that sucked me right into this story. This is another novel where I was flying through pages and chapters at lightning speed! Though it is a debut novel, I have to say that in my opinion it was expertly written, well paced, and the story’s universe and circumstances were believable enough. I also was able to feel emotions for the characters very quickly on, both Reid and Lou, our two main characters and narrators. NO-SPOILER SUMMARY The story takes place in France and as expected featured a little bit of the French language as well, which was a nice touch! I was able to learn some French while reading it! Lou is a witch who is in hiding, on the run and living recklessly with her best friend Coco, a blood witch. The two of them often dress as men to conduct business and go undetected in bars, brothers, and all sorts of other places men frequent. She is also not practicing her magic, because it leaves a smell behind that others can detect. “Others” meaning the Chaussers, the holy soldiers that protect and control much of this world. They are headed by the Archbishop, a man who is not as holy as would be expected of a man of his position. From this end, Reid is our narrator. He is as straight-edge as can be, following the Chausser doctrine and the Archbishop’s orders without question. He and Lou cross paths, and after a very serious mishap, they are forced to get married. Lou keeps her status as a witch a secret, and throughout the story we watch as other witches hunt after her, in the name of her mother, who tried to kill her at 16 and is still hunting her to finish what she started. Guys, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. There were so many twists and turns, so much ACTION, so much humor, and so many unfortunate circumstances. It also painted a vivid, brutal, and violent image of the universe and the prejudice against witches, who are burnt at the stake and murdered without hesitation if they are discovered. Lou keeps her secret out of fear her husband will kill her. Will he? You’ll have to read it and find out!

** SPOILER ALERT ** Let me start by saying I loved this book, but I wish I could give it 4.5 stars! Lou and Reid are cut from the same cloth but on different sides of a very ancient dispute. I love that Lou is snarky and sarcastic. She’s also afraid and that’s what makes her so relatable. Reid is so rigid and set in his ways, unafraid and devoted to his brothers. Their story builds nicely and there love grows slowly and burning. Which come on, who doesn’t love a slow burn. 😍 However, I feel like Morgane was too safe. I love a good villain and that she is. We know she has no love in her heart, only vengeance. But for once can we actually have a villain that’s not just a talker? I wish she was more of a cary-out-her-threats type of villain. Overall the story was beautifully written and I cannot wait for the second one! 🐍🖤🕊

I loved this book. I wanted to stay up all night reading it. When I found out the next book wasn’t out, I was crushed. I loved seeing Reid develop throughout the book. I loved that Lou wasn’t some prim and proper lady. I can’t wait to see what Lou is able to really do with her magic. I enjoyed the ending, how it wasn’t just like ever single other book like this. Although, you of course see it coming, there was a twist. I found the beginning a little hard to follow because there was no context to any of what was going on and who was who, but other than that great read.

So good. So well written. So deserving of its place as a best seller. My only complaint, and I did remove a star for this - it is a little difficult to tell exactly when in history this book takes place. They have running water and functioning bathrooms, but use horse drawn carriages. There is a lack of world building - it's a fantasy, but not a fantasy world. I found myself watching for any indication of a time in history. Otherwise, wonderful read with lots of fun moments. Can't wait to sink my teeth into book two.

I am always very hesitant to start YA books. While they are fun, I feel as though sometimes the characters are a bit too juvenile for me to have patience through their inner monologue. This book has blown every other YA book I’ve read this year out of the water. I did not even feel as though I was reading a young adult novel. Lou was amazing. She was everything you could want in a heroine. She was sassy, had a foul mouth, embraced her sexuality, and took no shite from anyone. I wish there were more characters like her in this genre. It is a good representation of the different facets of a well rounded character and not the typical Mary Sue do-gooder crap that YA is flooded with. The story was amazing. It kept you on your toes, was fast paced, and very informative without info dumping. I will definitely be reading the series again!!!!

I based buying this book off the dozens of recommendations of others (book tik tok). The storyline was a great idea, however there was several small plot holes that I was confused over and it didn’t make sense. The world building descriptions were not very detailed, and several times something would happen but it wasn’t ever explained. Suddenly Lou had dyed her hair but there was no details of it until someone mentioned it to her. Also with the big plot twists, the characters seemed to find out immediately with very little details. The development of Lou and Reid’s relationship was subpar. Overall I think I was more disappointed in others vivid recommendations rather than her writing itself. There was just so many minor things I don’t like that I couldn’t overlook.

There is something about the author's writing style that makes it clear that this is probably her first novel. Nothing glaringly wrong, but just some times, you read something that is meant to foreshadow something and it isn't as vague as I think the author intended. That being said, the book was enjoyable and something I didn't mind spending a day reading. The world was interesting enough that I wanted to keep learning more about it. The mechanics of the magic in the world is interesting and I am interested in seeing how it is further developed. The book ended with a promise that we will get to learn more about this world beyond the little bit we have seen. I am excited to see what comes next.

It's a fast and easy read. The world and the way magic works is interesting and I would love to see more of the politics of both the witches and non-witches. The main and side characters are at times pretty engaging as well. The romance is the problem. It's totally unbelievable. They don't have much chemistry and they hate each other...until they don't? And suddenly they're in love. I like a good enemies-to-lovers story but I felt like I got whiplash when they consummated the marriage. I bought the second book when it was released and have yet to give it a go, but I'm hoping the chemistry improves.

This book was fantastic!!! Okay, so first off, this book is YA but guess what!? The characters were not annoying at all! I absolutely LOVED every character in this book- the main ones, the side ones, and even the villains! The story is told from Lue and Reids POVs and I fully enjoyed both of them. Lue is a witch and Reid is a witch hunter. The crazy starts happening when they accidentally end up married. Reid was a different type of male character than I find in a lot of books. He was wholesome, honest and moral. You cant help but love him because of it! Then Lou was the total opposite being witty, a bit crazy, headstrong and a lover of desserts (totally relatable). Put these 2 together and it was actual magic! I was concerned about this one being too "dark" with a lead as a witch but it really wasnt at all. It was a very well written story and I enjoyed it completely! There were multiple shocking moments and a fantastic cliff hanger! I cant wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. This was a really great debut book with a unique plot line!

It is a cute story and I was hooked for the first half of the book. The characters dont develop naturally I feel like. They just kind of suddenly developed. Then, there are gaps with time for the character to develop in those moments. I felt like in some parts, it could have taken a different turn or maybe not seemed too "convenient"? With that being said, I really enjoy each character thoroughly. I love the environment and picture that I was able to grasp with the way things are described. I am not a fan of over description or under description and this had the perfect balance of that for me. At the beginning it was easy to tell characters a part but towards the end especially, I kept forgetting which character I was reading because the personalities seem to become very similar towards the end. I do however, go back and forth with myself on reading the second one. I lost investment in the story at some point and that is probably due to my taste and has nothing to do with the quality of the book. It has a great balance of romance and action as well. It was recommended several times to me while I was in search of a book so I gave it a shot. I think this would have been a good one shot story and I may just treat it as so and move on. With that being said, I think it is a good book and I like the style the Author has written it in! I love the world she created as well as the characters.

Are you ever in the middle of a book and it hits you that you never want it to end? You are caught in this weird middle land of wanting to read faster and faster but at the same time contemplating putting the book down so you may live in that world a little bit longer? I have read a few books throughout my life that made me feel this way – namely when I first discovered Harry Potter around the age of eight. My mother had bought me Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for a 14-hour road trip. By hour seven we were pulling off the interstate to swing into a Walmart to pick up Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and a portable light so I could continue my journey. Another that comes to mind is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I discovered Throne of Glass soon after it released and read the series each as they came out, anxiously awaiting the next book’s arrival. When Kingdom of Ash was released last fall, it truly felt as if I was saying goodbye to old friends. I needed to know how it ended but wanted to savor this world that had meant so much just a little longer. Well, I can now add Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin to that list. While I love a lot of books that have come out in the last several years, Serpent & Dove is on another level. It has truly been awhile since I have been so enraptured in a book. For a debut book especially, it is out of this world. The Plot Serpent & Dove starts out by introducing us to one of our main characters, Louise Le Blanc or ‘Lou’ – a young witch who fled her coven to stay alive. She is on the run, seeking shelter in an unfriendly city that is attempting to eradicate magic and burning all witches. She’s left to beg, borrow, and steal (mainly the latter) to get by without her magic. As for her character, she is a feisty woman whose personality reminds me of a cross between Celaena/Aelin from Throne of Glass or Lila Bard from V.E. Schwab’s Darker Shade of Magic. She knows how to get herself in and out of danger and always has something witty to say. One thing I have learned about my preferences when it comes to female protagonists, I gravitate towards smart-mouthed, strong women who take pleasure in bucking tradition and Lou gives me all that I look for in spades. Even in the most desperate of situations she moves forward with an incredible amount of swagger and bravado that makes you love her even more. On one of her misadventures she crashes into Reid Diggory, our second main character. Reid is part of the Chasseurs, huntsmen of the Church and leaders of those who want to eradicate witches and, of course, is the exact opposite of Lou. He prides himself on his commitment to the principle ‘Thou shall not suffer a witch to live’, and he is also a fairly uptight, duty-bound man. Most importantly he is loyal to the people he loves and the causes he believes in (even if they are maybe misplaced). Through a few misadventures, this unlikely pair ends up being forced to wed. A witch hunter and a witch – a match made in heaven or hell? This is classic enemy to lovers’ stuff – which is one of my all-time favorite tropes. As expected, even though the pair are polar opposites, feelings grow and both must make the decision about where their devotions lie and what they are willing to sacrifice in the name of love. The Review This book left me with such a hangover. I was not ready to leave its warm embrace. From the banter, writing style and the way Shelby made such a dark book, lighthearted. An overarching theme of the book is challenging prejudices and pre-conceived notions on what is right and wrong. Through Lou and Reid’s romance and the rotating cast of secondary characters, you see that maybe all witches are not bad, and maybe all Chasseurs are not either. In my opinion, it is quite reflective of current culture. Media today wants to tell us that XYZ group of people are all bad, but when you get down to human to human interaction, that is absolutely never the case. It is a lot easier to ‘hate’ a whole group of people until you humanize them and understand each and every one of the individuals in a group has their own hopes, dreams and personality. It is refreshing to see this growing problem addressed in a fantastical way in mainstream books. Honestly though, what I loved most about this book was the characters and their romance. As I have mentioned Throne of Glass several times in this blog post, I will admit that I hold an unpopular opinion in that I loved Celaena and Chaol together. While many fans of that series would consider it sacrilegious, I found their banter and how they tested each other’s boundaries quite entertaining. Lou and Reid have many shades of what Celaena and Chaol could have been. For example, Lou is constantly stepping across the lines that Reid draws in the sand – like his aversion to cussing and bawdiness. A reoccurring reference in the book is Lou singing the bar song ‘Big Tiddy Liddy’. While we only get a few lines of this what I am sure is a hilarious tune, Lou uses it to make Reid quite uncomfortable in several scenarios. Their romance is also full of sexual tension mostly from the start. If you are anything like me, sometimes the tension and the lead up is the best part. There is no shortage of steamy, tension-filled moments in this book. While the romance was an undeniably huge part of this book – there is an outside/overarching plot. The witches are attempting to reclaim the city, in which Lou plays a critical, albeit unwilling, role. On the other side the Chasseurs are conducting magical experiments and burning every witch they come in contact with in an attempt to eradicate witches once and for all. While this strife does come to a bit of a head at the end – we are still left on a bit of a cliff hanger and I am hotly anticipating the second in the duology, Blood & Honey. I cannot say enough about this book. I could go on and on – but if you love a fast-paced, easy read full of magic, wittiness, and a hot romance please move this to the top of your TBR pile!

Put it this way… I have a Kindle and one of my favorite features is that when I finish a book and turn the last page, it automatically asks me if I want to purchase the next book in the series. When this book wrapped up, I am not ashamed to say, I was literally tapping my feet, squirming like a little girl, and singing in my head “Please, oh please, oh pleeeeeeese let there be a second book!” There is, but sadly, for literally everyone who has read this book, it has not yet been released. Thank God I only have to wait until September! (Please forgive any typos, I had arm surgery and am forced to rely on voice to type)

This did not start off too well, the chapters seemed to start off in the middle of a scene. I didn't realize the main character was a girl until around page 20. And i didnt know where the characters were until the end of the first chapter. It was really hard to get into, i had to force myself to continue reading, in hopes that it gets better. AND! It did! It was well worth the struggle of the first few chapters, it was exciting, funny, and all around great! I get there are a lot of sensitive people that dont like people having sex even in books. Fear not the characters are married when they have sex. The story is really good and suprising, and the characters are great and drive the story further and further. I cannot wait for the next book!

This book reminds me a lot of Amanda Bouchets Kingmaker series. I really liked this book and feel it has potential to be an awesome series. Lou was a very strong female character and Reid was very sweet and yet complex. The author did a great job at portraying a magical, tragic and intense world. There were quite a few twists in the book that I did not see coming and I liked where the author went with them. My only complaint is that I would have liked a bit more romantic scenes. But, it is a slow burn romance, so I get it. I can't wait to read more!

After reading the bad reviews I put this book aside.. using it as my back up back up.. but then I just kept getting drawn to it by just the cover art. So I read the sample... annnd then next thing I knew I was clicking purchase. I fell absolutely in love with this book. I wish there was more character description so I had to pinterest some fan art to be able to play the movie in my head better as I read the book. It has a great romance with tension. I wish we got more of that but I mean obviously they had other more important things going on.. like trying not to die. Definitely recommend :)

Only took me a couple days to finish. This book hit all the right notes for me as far as theme and voice were concerned, although there wasn't anything..unexpected. (SPOILERS) I never thought Reid was going to turn on her when he finally found out, I didn't think she would actually die at the ceremony, neither of their mystery parents were surprising. Really the only thing that surprised me was that it ended on a cliffhanger! I'm really only disappointed that the next book isn't already for sale, but I'll be keeping an eye out!

This is one of those books where you either like it or you don't. I personally like my witches on the darker side, and there was some but the magic was strange for my taste. I really was pulled in by the title and synopsis of this book. The story was good and I liked the heroine Lou, but Reid was to zealot like in his beliefs and not as chivalrous as first impressions go. The other characters were written well and my favorite was Ansel. There are also a couple of surprising reveals in the storyline. All in all it was a good read, and I am definitely going to read the second book Blood & Honey.

I am avid reader and was looking for something new in the genre. I had heard of this book before, but I always balk at a 9.99 kindle price. I got a gift card and magically this book popped up on the screen. I also before I purchase a book look at the reviews, both one and five star reviews. I was torn, do I try it or dont I? I decided to do it, whatever pay the 9.99. I was so HAPPY that I did. It was a fresh new look at such an over done theme. It was something that I greatly enjoyed reading so much so that I read it in one day. I also bought it for my sister for Christmas, I loved it so much. I will say that the main heroine gets a little annoying in the middle. I started to look at her differently because she just COULDN'T stop. When you read you will see what I am talking about. Then she got better. Enjoy, enjoy!

I was very surprised to learn that this is her debut novel. I was pretty impressed! The level of detail that went into the world itself was very impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed the witchcraft dynamics in the novel. The whole concept of balance for Lou’s gift turned into an interesting challenge for not only Lou but some of the other characters as well. I was very intrigued by the blood witches. I really wanted to get more information on them. Hopefully that’s to come in the sequel. As for the characters, I wasn’t too keen on Lou at first. She definitely came on extremely strong, but it didn’t take too long to find her hilarious. Reid was about the same as well, however, I LOVED Reid’s slow progression of comfort and fondness for Lou. It was brilliant. I don’t have enough good things to say about it. It was so well done and I wish we could have seen just a bit more, but alas, the story must go on. Reid’s reaction to the reveal of Lou’s true identity was handled perfectly, but it felt cut short. I would have loved to explore it a bit longer but the plot got in the way. Towards the end of the novel he gets a lot thrown at him at once and we don’t get to see him process too much of it, which was disappointing. Speaking of which, pacing wise it was great until about 75 percent of the way through. The ending felt a bit rushed. There was a lot happening all at once, really quickly. Kind of felt like someone got in the car and just floored the gas. I feel like there was a missed opportunity to make the book a bit more suspenseful, at least from Lou’s side of things. She’s so terrified of being found or discovered constantly, but I often forgot about it. I just felt like the build up to the later events of the novel could have been executed better. My only true complaint is that the bible verses and the church got to be a bit much. Parts of it bordered on straight annoyance when they would talk about the witch’s religion to the church and ridicule it. As a Wiccan, it definitely rubbed me the wrong way, but that’s more of a personal matter. I do understand it was an integral part of the novel so I’m willing to look past it… Mostly. Overall, I give the book a 4.25. I thoroughly enjoyed the unique spin on a common topic. The world was enchanting, the romance was brilliant and the plot was mostly well executed. There were several scenes that I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and reread as I absolutely adored them. As far as rereading the entire novel from cover to cover… maybe once in a blue moon.

YA Fantasy is a newer thing to me. Other than dystopian and vampire books, I haven't read too many. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I think you should definitely read it. . Serpent and Dove has magic and witches and witch hunters… and a love story. A love story between a witch and a witch hunter?! Yes, I'm here for that drama!! And honestly, I really love so many of the supporting characters too!! The friendship between Lou and Coco is beautiful. My only complaint is that the love story felt like such a slow burn… like 350 pages of slow burn. I like to get to the heat of the story. Romance novels have ruined me. 🤣 That Reid character is definitely swoon worthy. Anyway, enjoyed this story!

This book was so hard to put down. I love books like this because they're so wonderful and captivating to read but they don't last because I get through them so quickly. This is a great introductory book to this world of witches and chaussers that Mahurin has created. I was easily able to lose myself in this world and experience all the emotions she was trying to create for her audience. I can't recommend this book enough. If you love fantasy, you will really appreciate this well written novel.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin Lou is a witch and thief who’s hiding from more than just the law. Reid is the leader of the Archbishop’s soldiers who have all been trained to despise and kill witches. Lou and Reid meet under not-so-friendly circumstances and their relationship grows from there. Forced to marry, the two start out hating each other but eventually begin to care when they truly see who they are. Action-packed fantasy with a splash of humor make this a fun read, 5 stars!

This book was AMAZING. I'll admit it took me some time to get into it, but I wasn't really aware of what story I was going into. After I had a better grasp, I couldn't put the book down. I love Lou and Coco, and Lou's relationship with Reid is just...so good. The way magic works, with the patterns and a trade for a trade was fascinating. Magic is always said to come with a price, but the cords that Lou sees provides an immediate look as to what that cost is. I loved the storytelling in this book and cannot wait to start Blood and Honey.

I have been quite irritated by most of the newer young adult novels for the past 2 years. The bar is very low for me now and I do not rate them in the same way that I would rate an adult book. This book is a straight up romance with some sprinkled fantasy. The protagonist is a strong female lead. The love interest is a strong man. The supporting cast and crew add to the story and are not just place holders. Captivating read. I just wish it were a stand alone because now I have to get book 2. I miss the days of fantasy stand alone...sigh.

although there is mixed reviews .... I Loved the book from start to end. This book is not my typical read and gave it a shot. I enjoyed the style of writing by the author, she kept me so engrossed i finished the book in a day. I originally borrow the book from my public library, but after i was done reading I knew i had to add this book to my collection and i bought the book along with the sequel and can't wait to continue the story.

Serpent and dove is an amazing fast paced book. Very complex and intricate story telling and woven uniquely. Has to do with a witch in hiding Louise going by Lou. A group of religious witch hunters called chasseurs. A captain Diggory ( Reid) Both grand players in a larger scheme. Witches trying to reclaim there land from the French headed by Morgane. Queen of the witches. A fight of fate decided or change it ?

I first saw this book as a suggestion for me on Goodreads. The description sold me - I’m a sucker for a forbidden romance. And when I first saw the negative reviews on Amazon after I purchased it, I was a little apprehensive. But.. um what? Did they read the same book I did? Because it was fantastic. I am for the most part speechless. I’ve had to erase and retype what I want my review to say. Reid might be my favorite hero I’ve ever read. My goodness, I related to him so much. It took a while for me to warm up to Lou. It’s almost as though when she’s telling us her story she’s really hiding behind her defenses, like she doesn’t want us to truly know who she is. Sure, there was one editing mistake that I found and some phrases and words were used maybe a little too much. But that didn’t take away from the story for me. I ate it up. People in real life use the same words and phrases over and over again, too. This book way exceeded my expectations and I cannot wait for the sequel.

I expected this one failing mostly because I just came away from a horrendous book. But this had everything I wanted! It was a capturing story cutting straight to the chase- by that i mean: when aiming to reveal a hidden past pr tell-tale secret, Mahurin doesn't force readers through a broken charade of beating around the Bush. She straight up tells you what you're suspecting is the most likely case. However, she also presents playful circumstances and a motley crew. She betrays the typical way these novels lean into romance and beguiled a fulfilling wholesome story out of it. Can't wait for the next installment

Unexpected. Completely unexpected. The cover and description made it seem like it would be much darker and sinister, but it was so light, and joyful, and made my heart burst, and I swear, at my funeral my friends had all better sing that song about Liddy. There was a lot more comedic banter than you would expect from a book with a black cover and a snake slithering around it. I'm excited to read the sequel!

That was a great book. And I know it has some common plotlines but there's enough originality that it has a unique take on witches weaved in with the commonly used plotlines. For a while I felt that some parts of the story were forced to get the characters where the author wanted them and I was a bit frustrated, but the strange behavior of the characters made sense once all was revealed in the end. Great book!

I’ll admit I almost closed the book within the first chapter because I was really confused. But as I went on the book was very enjoyable. I loved the characters and Lou was so fun to go on this journey with. She’s confident and clever and has a great sense on humor. I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Such a great read! I picked this book because I saw an ad for it on social media. It sounded interesting and happened to work for a few of my squares in book bingo this month. I didn't have huge expectations for this book, but I was hooked as soon as I started it. I fell in love with the characters and the story. This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt frightened one moment, then impatiently curious the next, and I loved the relationships between the characters. I'm very much looking forward to the next book by this author!

This book was a perfect escape from reality for the few days it took me to read it. I feel in love with characters, and grew to hate others. I loved the details of this world and watching the relationships between characters grow and change. It was such a genuinely engaging reading experience that one can only hope for when you start a book. I was wondering what would happen next literally right up to the last page. Great pace, deep characters, rich world. A good story doesn't need much more than that, and I will starting the second book tomorrow. I can't wait to find out what happens next. Thank you for the journey Shelby Mahurin, it's everything you want in a book and you delivered it beautifully.

I had trouble getting into the book at the start, despite being well written. But I’m so glad I stuck with it! My only qualm was that there were times I’d be four pages deep into a chapter and realised I was reading from the wrong character’s perspective (despite the perspective being listed at the start of every chapter).

What an amazing debut novel! The best books I've read are always books that weren't on my radar. I'll be the first to admit ya fantasy isn't my regular go to but I'm so glad when I find treasures like this. I loved the magic within these pages. The forbiddeness called to me and the characters found there way into my heart. I'm so ready for the next book!!

I’m a big YouTube book fanatic and when I heard about this one I had to buy it, it will be finished by tomorrow and I’ll be ordering book two tonight. I’ll let y’all know my honest review of it when finished. The book itself is gorgeous and worthy for display on my shelves. It came in sooner than expected 🙌🏼 And in perfect condition!

OKAY MA’AM. I need Blood and Honey to hurry up please. This book was everything I love about the Fantasy genre. The characters were amazing and I loved seeing them open up. I tend to get weird when religion is a key portion of fantasy books but this was very well written and was an extremely important factor in a lot of the character development! The detailing was perfectly done. No fluff. Not slow. Adored it! Definitely would recommend!

I’m officially a die hard fan of Lou and Reid. And Coco and Zander. What a stunning story, with so many of my favorite kinds of characters and tropes. Gahhhhhh!! I hate snakes, so it took me a long time to get past the cover, but I’m very glad I did.

The characters didn't have great chemistry and I could just not bring myself to like Lou. The books premise was great and the magic system was so interesting but too many plot holes and zero explanation for characters behaviors. There was no growth and the romance wasn't believable. Spoiler alert!!! They hangout once or twice where Lou isn't acting like a horrible person to him and then all of a sudden they are falling love. Lou made Reid life miserable at every turn, belittled and humiliated him and then were supposed to believe all is forgiven because she's nice one time and dresses up. I really wanted to like this book but could not bring myself to.

This book is amazing. Was it a great work, with a solid plot, characters, and world building? No. Ultimately I didn’t care. If I a book can deliver me to a different world and keep my attention long after I should have been asleep. It’s a winner. This book is pure, decadent escapism and I devoured it.

If you just look at the base line plot its pretty clique. BUT when you bring Lou's sense of humor and snarky comments into it, it completely transforms the book. I found myself smiling and snickering at things that were said or done and even crying at one part. This book is so worth it just buy it. Its a little slow at first but not in the traditional sense of slow its more of like "whats this have to do with the romance?" Type of slow but oh does it work. It works so well. Just buy it if you're looking at it and you like romance just buy it. Just do it. Pre-order the second one while you're at it too because you'll be wanting it anyway as soon as the books done!

I devoured this novel. It was the highlight at the end of each day. I found it very original, with hooking characters and a hot buzzing romance that kept my interest throughout. The romance read real and earned and the characters were well developed. If your a fan of Rowling and Sarah J Mass you will enjoy this. I just bought the second in the series!

It took me a while to read this book. I had it for about two months before I finally did. I was reluctant at first because I saw so many reviews praising it and I was worried it wouldn't live up to the hype. But boy was I wrong! It surpassed the hype!! This book is a definite top 10 and favorite of mine. As soon as I finished it I ordered the second book, Blood & Honey! I can't wait for it to arrive so I can find out what happens next. This book was truly amazing. I didn't want to put it down and I finished it in less than three days!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters and plot were so unique. It was also one of the funniest books I’ve read, and I kept laughing at Lou’s witty remarks. This was top notch fantasy and the world building was both unique and familiar. I cannot wait to read the next book and see how the story continues.

I have to say that I read this in one day. As a voracious reader, any 500 page book that can keep me intrigued enough to forego all my daily activities is a great read. I love the fact that Shelby is a fellow Hoosier and I cannot wait to read more from her. Definitley will recommend this to my students.

It took me longer than necessary to try completing this book and I skipped through the last 20% to get it over with. The author has a talent for weaving characters and settings together, but I won't be continuing with this series or future books. It was painstakingly slow with telltale mistakes throughout.

I thought this book was going to be more YA but I was pleasantly surprised that it was much more in the NA genre. A lot of the reason so put it off was because I believed it to be YA. This book has everything and I’m so glad I read it. An amazing story, rich characters, and a forbidden yet dreamy romance. It is such a great idea for a story that I was drawn in from the very beginning! I love Lou and her sassiness. She is a very lovable character, and Reid’s noble and loyal personality is a perfect compliment. Loved the action that took place in this book! It was fantastic and kept me turning pages to find out what would happen! Can’t wait to read the next one!

I loved the pacing, storytelling and characterization in this book. Loved the heroine and that the author made her a strong woman and not one of those fake strong heroines you see too often. I couldn’t put the book down. It’s unique and satisfying. Cannot wait for the next one.

I love this book. I’d say that people who love the likes of Inheritance, Harry Potter, Great & Terrible Beauty, Charlie Bone, or any other book about magic with enough context to make it feel real would also love this book. I’d say it’s probably at least PG13.

The very beginning of the book was quite slow but the ending had me on the edge of the seat and I’m still wanting to know what happens. I wish I could have seen more character development between Lou & Reid because it is mostly summed up. The reader is left confused through most of the book because there is no back story till the second half of the book which explains everything. The plot was great, once it was fully laid out for you to understand. There are many beautiful lines and heart crushing moments as you see through both characters perspectives. If you can get past being confused for a bit the book is definitely worth picking up!

I absolutely love this book! I had never heard of it till I got a related item in my #bookishbox. So I found it but it sat in my TBR like for what seems like forever then the sequel came out and I forced myself to put down a different read for it and never looked back!!

Loved it! Like another review- I thought there was a few too many repetitive dull words “grin” being one of them...but only noticed them in the first few pages...couldn’t put it down after that! Was disappointed that there isn’t a second one out yet!! The ending!!! Whew I was on the edge of my couch! Great work Shelby!

This book was every bit of five stars. Probably my favorite witch story ever written. Highly recommend reading this book 😍. Lou was a woman after my own heart and the character development with Reid was amazing.

I finished this in a 1.5 days it was absolutely amazing, I loved the romance and it was funny/witty, I laughed out loud a lot during this book which is not the most common thing for me! I love a good enemies to lovers story and this felt well paced and I was highly invested in both Reid and Lou. Plus the world building and the witch society was so interesting and well written I can't wait to learn more. SO excited for the sequel. Highly recommend!

People had very strong opinions about this book, both positive and negative, so I went in with relatively low expectations. But !!! This was actually so good! I devoured this book in a couple of days, and it genuinely kept me interested throughout. Can't wait to read Blood & Honey.

I got through the first chapter, struggled through a few pages of the second and had to stop. I couldn't get into it at all. Not a fan.

I read it in a day so......witches aren't really my thing, I stumbled into this book. However, it kept me entertained and I obviously didn't put it down for long. That said, there's a little love a lot of bloodshed and religion. Wow! What a mess!

I really enjoyed this book but here’s the thing, it didn’t really capture and hold my interest until about 100 pages in. I loved the plot. I’m a big fan of Sarah J Maas and I was happy to find a story that didn’t just feel like it was copied straight out of her books. It got a tad confusing at times and I think the concepts of the magic use could have been better explained but maybe if I read it through again I’ll get it. All in all I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the second book

Well I just reread this awesome book AND let me tell you I stayed up all night till I finished it. Even though I already knew everything that was going to happen , I just couldn’t put it down. I’m ready for book number two... like... right now!

I really enjoyed my read through this book, but I felt like the story was fairly predictable...until the last like five or six pages where there’s one tiny twist. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t a fun read, it was just a predictable read.

I haven't been able to read this series yet, but book arrived on time and in excellent condition. At the time I bought this book, it was the best price compared to competitors. Great deal and I'm looking forward to reading it.

The best book I read in 2019. I preordered a physical copy and devoured it, then I bought the kindle edition so I’d have it everywhere in case the mood struck. That’s how good it is! Perfect for fans of fantasy romance. It has so many emotions: I laughed, I cried , I gushed. 10/10 worth buying and not waiting for from the library (please support your library but also buy this book).

For a debut novel, this one had me invested in both the world and characters! It has a cool magic system that I want to know more of in the next one. For a YA book, I wasn’t expecting a sex scene, so be aware.

Listen, I read this whole book in a day. I need book 2 like... now. Right now. Lou is wonderful. Reid is beautiful. I didn’t think I’d like reading from both their perspectives, but I found myself looking forward to reading the other’s thoughts. Ansel is my sweet baby and if anything happens to him, I will scream. Coco is what a best friend should be. She would do anything for Lou. I love, love, love this book!

This was absolutely one of the BEST books of 2019. Bravo to Shelby Mahurin for this amazing piece of literature! Full of intense magical history, love, hate and intrigue, this book was so much fun to read. It was dark but uplifting; funny and heartbreaking.

I loved this book. I read it during quarantine and this is the book that got me out of a reading slump I was in. I didn’t realize how new it was but I loved the enemies to lovers story. Definitely worth the read!

Don't get me wrong, I loved this story. However, it is in desperate need of a line editor. If you find repetitive descriptions distracting, I would not recommend this book. I got tired of reading about Reid's copper hair and Lou's blue-green eyes. BUT if you don't mind a candy bar read with low expectations for writing style, then go for it.

I bought this after seeing the recommendation from Sarah J. Mass and the good reviews, only to be sorely disappointed. I read this right after The Year of the Witching, a truly well written book with great character development. It served to contrast what this book lacked. The first few chapters were hard to read and the main character was difficult to like. I don’t usually write reviews, but I was just so disappointed with this book.

This was a great start to a new series. I loved how the relationship between Reid and Lou developed and was pleasantly surprised by the reveal about Reid at the end. The plot thickens?

There are many things I loved about the book; most of all the characters. A great heroine and hero who you can relate to and have great chemistry, a complex and interesting plot and a wonderful introduction to a spellbinding series.

I don't remember how I ended up reading this book, but I am so glad I did. It's creative and unique take on the fantasy experience enthralled me. A through development of plot and characters. Beautiful unexpected twists, and best of all characters that are fantastic.

I have read many enemies to lovers but most of them are not done as good as this. I loved that we saw things from both Reid and Lou’s POV and the story unfolded gradually with twists and turns ! Perfect in all sense! Must admit: cried a little too..!

This book was amazing. I LOVED it. The character development for Lou and Reid, the story development, the background and history coming out, all of it is beautifully done.

I can’t read/like a book where they make the Catholic Church evil. With quotes and Saints. I wish I could return the kindle purchase. The title Serpent and Dove is a prayer reference and I thought little of how insulting it’d be. I won’t say anything else because I respect other people’s opinions, but big no for me.

I almost didn’t read this one based on some of the reviews. I really enjoyed Lou’s wit and how she maneuvered every situation. This book was a pleasant surprise and I look forward to the next one coming out soon!

As someone who loves fiery heroines, unique and compelling storylines, and poignant messages about love, relationships, and reflecting on personal ideologies, I greatly admired this book. Although a large part of the story circled around Lou and Reid's relationship, Shelby Mahurin delved much deeper and explored what it means to learn from as well as understand people who are different than us. Definitely a page-turner the entire way and I can't wait for the second instalment!

I have mixed emotions. One minute I was loving it the next I was bored. This roller coaster continued throughout the book. I really like Lou. The magic was confusing.

I was hoping for more excitement, and fewer cliches. I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters, and well, I found the leads kinda dim witted. The world is interesting, so there's that.

As an avid reader of this genre, I can tell you that you will not be disappointed. It is cleverly written, and I can't wait for the next two books to come out! You will fall in love with the characters.

I read this book in one sitting, and it was an absolute whirlwind. For a fantasy story, it was quite character-driven, but it was tastefully done and by the end, I was stunned at how the entire story had taken place over a matter of weeks. I also enjoyed how there were several humorous moments between the leads, despite the plot being quite dark at times. Mahurin did a fantastic job with Serpent & Dove.

This was such a pleasant surprise! Witches, and magic, and corrupt clergy- oh my! This was an adventure the instant I began reading. A total 5 star review for me- for sure!

Excellent there were a lot of twists and turns. I look forward to reading the next book. No insta romance and great well rounded characters. Diverse cast too.

It was a fun ride. Full of dynamic characters, the story was well fleshed out. The side characters were just as interesting, if not more interesting as the main characters. Can't wait for the next book.

I enjoyed the book except the humor fell flat for me and the opening did not hook me. I took a chance based on reviews and am glad I did. However, the publisher should have marketed it as new adult. The copious cursing, the sex scene and the characters themselves do not fit young adult. YA seems to have cannibalized the new adult and adult fantasy/paranormal romance books the past few years.

A greatly imagined world with some of the religious themes of this world but more extreme and with magic. The hate to love romance in it is also great.

It was amazing !!! I read all of the bad reviews and just got curious, so I bought it. What could be so terrible about it? People complain so much about nothing!! This book had fully sucked me into its lavishly French world and intimate romance— and within a day or two I DEVOURED IT!! Love love love and definitely will be awaiting September 1st for the second book Blood & Honey. Do yourselves a favor— PICK THIS BOOK UP AND READ IT! :)

Needs a lot more character and backstory development, but not bad. There was just a sense of never quite knowing what kind of world you’re reading about - no richness. And yet so much opportunity for it.

What a great story! I love the way story goes dystopian but with all the feels of a non fictional existence. Really brilliant. Great read.

Ok I see what everyone’s saying and I agree!! But if you stick with the book it loses the tropes and gets Very entertaining!! I loved the magic the witch’s used and I can’t wait for the sequel!

If you enjoy fantasy, this book is great. It drew me in from the beginning and kept my interest throughout the read. I can't wait for the next book!

Since it’s Halloween season I got this book... man it was really good! I’m so glad I picked this up! Can’t wait to dive into blood and honey!!!!

I lovvveeed this book I’m anxiously waiting the next in this series Blood & Honey I’ll devour it too Read this book if you haven’t great fantasy

I absolutely loved this book. If you are interested in witchcraft/magic, this is the book for you. The dust jacket cover is absolutely beautiful too, which is a huge bonus. I definitely recommend.

This book is something I highly recommend to fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout. It had an interesting enemies to lovers arc, and personally I loved the witch and witch-hunter romance (reminded me of Nina and Matthias from Six of Crows). One of my favorite books on my shelf!

Was the premise cool? Sure. Was the romance believable? Nope. Not at all. It doesn't make sense how they fall in love. The magic system seems super cool though.

This book is amazing. Love to hate trope, witchcraft, war, betrayal, plot twists, blood magic, cinnamon rolls, witty banter! I loved all of it. It kept me awake until 4am! I cannot wait for the sequel now. Buy it. Read it. It’s so much fun!

I LOVED this book. I sat down to read a few chapters in the morning, and suddenly it was almost midnight! I fell in love with Lou, Reid, Coco and Ansel. The characters were real. The setting was richly described. I felt like I was apart of the book, and apart of their world I’d recommend this to anyone and everyone who will listen!

I absolutely LOVED this book! The first few chapters were a little hard to get through but after that I flew through it! Lou is such a tough and sassy character. Reid is the tough solider type that is very loyal. Definitely a slow burn romance with both characters fighting their attraction to each other every step of the way. I couldn't get enough of Reid and Lou. They were both likable characters. Definitely giving this book 5 stars! Can't wait for the next book!

Love, literally my fave! If you like magic, witches, and things like pride and prejudice or downtown abbey, this is PERFECT for uuuu

Wow wow wow. Such a great and cool book. I really loved the main characters. Their romance is fun, flirty and definitely has some plot twists. I love fantasy books and this one was highly recommended by fans of “a court of rose and thorns” and “crown of feathers” totally worth the read, especially since the sequel is coming out soon.

Omg this was good. I LOVED Lou. LOVED her. What an amazing character. In fact there wasn't a thing I didn't enjoy about this book!

Great start to a series. It was a fast easy read and great for some laughs. Looking forward to reading the next in the series

I really enjoyed this quick read and the characters within. I enjoyed getting to know Reid and Lou from their perspectives and the storyline gave me soap opera vibes. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I am hooked! Can’t wait to read the second one. This series is a must read for those looking for a YA fantasy to escape in.

I was really looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately over 15 pages are covered in what looks spilled ink.

What can I say without giving spoilers? It’s a great fantasy book with a unique storyline, love the French aspect and the romance, even the narrators on Audible are great if you go that route. I’m not much of an audiobook fan as I think too much lol so I had to buy the hardcover and can’t wait for the next one!

Really loved how unique the storyline was for me. I am anxiously waiting for 9.1.2020 and Blood and Honey!

I really enjoyed this book. The foul mouthed heroine is my favorite type. It’s refreshing to read a character that is more relatable and less serious. One that can make fun of themselves and still be a badass.

I loveddddd this book! Sometimes I can get bored easily with books, but this one had me hooked and I read it in a weekend! A wonderful slow-burn romance with a fantastic story line that will for sure have you hooked! Highly, highly recommend!

So I loves this book. I love how two characters who had very different viewpoints of the world we're able to come together and start understanding one another and then be able to build a relationship out of it. I also love how Lou rather than just getting mad at and always attacking Reid believes she showed him that not all witches are actually evil.

Wow!! I knew this was gonna be a good one but I had no idea that it would be my favorite book of 2019!!! I simply couldn't put it down, it has all the wonderful elements you'd want in a fantasy. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one! This story is far from over!

Beautifully crafted story and the book itself is gorgeous!!! Worth the buy for any reader 17+

I loved the tension between these two and the universe it created. Excited to see what happens next.

Ten words in and I was hooked. Couldn’t put it down except to order a physical copy. I was enthralled by this book and the characters. I cannot wait for the next book.

It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I was I was entranced. This is a fun and crazy adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters.

This book is so freaking good! The use of language, vocabulary, minor use of French and the story structure create a more mature adventure than other YA novels. It was a great read, I never wanted to put it down. The second book is out now, no need to wait!

This was such a great book and I am so excited for the next one! I LOVE Lou & Reid!

Arrived on time and looks great on my shelf, can’t wait to read.

Lou, Coco, Reid. Oh my goodness! So good!!! this book is one of the best I have read this year! Marriage of convenience plus hate to love! two of my favorite things!

I kept catching myself holding my Kindle far to close to my face. The story was that good. Please read.

I loved your book Shelby, the cussing I could of done without, but I'm old as you know. Can't wait for your next book to this beautiful mind blowing story. I hope you know how proud we are. You go girl. You Conquered this magical world....we will be waiting to see the end of Lou and Reid. Congratulations Shelby and know that dreams do come true.

I read a lot and this was the first book in a long time that I couldn’t put down. Really enjoyed it.

Was hooked from the first sentence of this debut novel! The brilliant writing style, rich characters, and immersive world made it hard to put this book down. Looking forward to book two!

I haven’t read it yet but it came in immaculate condition and I’m excited to read it!